ORGANICALLY GROWN IN ONE YEAR
I've never really been one to pay more for the organically grown produce at the supermarket because I am such a tightwad. Plus, I'm not very health conscience. But when my friend was helping me put my feelings into words about Gatherings, and how it has grown into something I did not expect, she used the term "organically grown" and it just felt right.
Ellen Garbardi can make a word stand to attention. She and I have been friends for over 20 years - our sons grew up going to St. Andrews together. During those years, she often times shared her journaling of poems and stories that she wrote of her boys. She even put on workshops to try and teach us mamas how to journal our emotions about our own children. And, of course, I did my best to imitate her abilities, but to no avail.
This past Monday, I sent her a text that read "You need to teach me how to write, will you do that?". I have such a desire to be able to write my emotions about the evenings I spend with you, Ladies, but I am not feeling very competent about my abilities. That sweet Ellen immediately picked up the phone and called me. We visited quite some time about Gatherings. I was passionately writing down every single word she spoke. Because, like I said, she has such a way with words. I wanted to try and capture her way. When Ellen said "Jill, Gatherings has grown organically - it has moved through you - brought life through you - and something larger than you has been at work" my heart melted. Because something larger than me has been at work, and I pray that life has been brought through me - to all you ladies who have allowed me to share myself with you during this past year. I will accept Ellen's words. Graciously. Thankfully. And hold on to them. Forever.
As I will hold onto the memories of this past year. One year ago today, November 2, 2017, the very first Gatherings - twelve ladies walked through my door to gather together to make fall floral arrangements. As of today, somewhere in the range of 350 women have crossed the threshold of my home to participate in one of 22 classes. I have watched Gatherings grow "organically" into something that I had no idea it would become. In fact, I had no idea last year at this time that I would have had the ability to develop and maintain a website, start blogging, or desire to help small businesses grow through advertising their products and using their space for classes. I'm pretty sure the word "organic" means to use only natural fertilizers. And the only natural fertilizer for this little project has been the hand of the Lord God Almighty. Because I can assure you, I had no plan or ability to grow anything of this magnitude.
The seed was planted in September 2017, by my daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ford, after I had mentioned to my kids that I wanted to do something more with my life. She had moved from Birmingham after marrying my son just one year before, and was desiring to find a place to create while visiting with her new Life Group friends. So when she said she would love for me to open my home to give ladies a place to gather and create, I bought a bunch of flowers, and we had a flower party for her Life Group class. Then I opened it up to other friends for a Christmas wreath party the next month. And then a young lady at the wreath party mentioned that she would be happy to teach the girls how to make French Macarons. And that gave me the idea of "hey, why not have different ladies with God given gifts to come and teach these classes" - not necessarily professionals, but ladies who have a gift that needs to be shared with other ladies. And then early this year, I was watching the Superbowl and saw a commercial about starting your own website. Lo and behold, the next thing I know, I had created a website with the ability to pay on-line, post pictures, and write blogs.
And so the growing begins.
A SCROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE
FIRST GATHERINGS CLASS
FALL FLORAL DESIGN
NOVEMBER 2, 2017
FIRST CHRISTMAS WREATH
SECOND CHRISTMAS WREATH
FRENCH MACARON CLASS | LAUREN BOWIE
DIRT & DANISH | SHEILA JONES
DATE NIGHT | WINE TASTING | SCOTT JACKSON
EASTER FLORAL DESIGN | DIANNE SWANSON
CANVAS & COCKTAILS | MANDY ELLARD
PHOTOGRAPHY | LAUREL DONAHOO