Do you ever have something sitting on your heart for a long time, like months or years even and you just keep trying to figure out what to do with it? Trying to figure out WHY it is sitting on your heart? What are you supposed to do? Why I am being called with this but do not have direction?
For the longest time I have been called to tell the story of my childhood. I never knew how or when and each time it was kind of like a hand was saying stop, no, not yet. But the call was still there. I thought it was to tell MY story. I thought “that’s how I am going to help someone. If I can just help one person who has been through what I’ve been through.”
And then it all came together, these little taps on the shoulder quickly became a slap of
“HELLO Terra are you listening?!”
A little backstory first.
When Ben and I built this house, I wanted it to have a feeling. For myself/anyone who walks in to feel cozy, comfortable and safe. Even though, I have felt safe for a long time in my home with my husband, sometimes those trauma memories stick with you.
As we moved into our home, I did not want fill it with a bunch of THINGS but decorate in a manner that meant something. That each piece could have a little purpose. BUTTT, soon I had way too many pillows and throw blankets. I mean, but really how many is too many? Will we ever know?
The realization came that I always have a blanket on me. I love that feeling of safety and comfort. And pillows are not only fun to decorate with but also comfy to lay up against on the couch. One day we were discussing, how can I help people if it’s not to tell my story? I don’t want to be the focus but I want to help someone. That’s when the idea of a pillow and throw blanket Etsy shop came up.
I could curate a collection of soft throw blankets & beautiful pillows and donate money from that shop to a charity for sexually & physically abused children.
Immediately my mind was racing with all of the fun ideas; shipping with pretty paper and thank you cards, wrapped perfectly. While the presentation is important and exciting, my true calling is in the purpose. So on my search went to ‘what charity to donate to’.
That’s when a client of mine at the studio came in who works at child safe. In our talk I found out that each child goes home with a new blanket because they feel safe with a blanket. Most children in these cases do not have a clean blanket or a blanket of their own.
The Child Safe mission is to respond to and prevent child abuse, help families heal, and restore childhood hope.
It’s like God was in our conversation. I wasn’t even supposed to have this woman as a client because of scheduling reasons, but yet here we are. Now in my heart I knew this shop was the way to go. I find it reassuring that as a childhood trauma survivor, I still find comfort in a throw blanket as these children do who are going through right now.
One day I’ll be able to tell my story but for today I am very excited to hit the order button and start this journey.
This is so exciting Terra, and I’m so proud of you for stepping out and helping others heal as you have!! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for this new venture!!!
Thank you Robbin! It feels like forever ago that I sent you that one email 💖