I grew up the youngest of six kids and I always remember hearing music, whether it was the radio, musical on tv, or just someone singing, it was always there. We grew up, and moved on with our lives…for me I turned 18, graduated high school, attended community college for a while and then moved to Arizona, which would become the first of several moves over the next ten years before arriving back in my home state of Washington after my father passed away.

I began my career in Corporate America, enjoyed several years with my mother before she passed away from cancer at the age of 71. I got married, we had a son and moved to Texas for my job. We enjoyed the change of scenery for a few years, but when the chance came to move back to the Pacific Northwest for my career we jumped at it. That first year we were back, my husband was deployed in the Middle East. Because he was deployed with his Reserves unit, there weren’t any other families going through what we were. It was a challenge single parenting it, but the little guy and I made it work.

My husband returned and we began the arduous process of searching for a house in Portland, Oregon. Along with it, the bidding wars and uncertainty. We found a house, and moved in just as C-19 hit and we were homebound. Trying to manage a corporate career, and help our 5 year old with schooling/entertainment was another challenge to be met.

Time passed over the next year and we somehow learned to manage with the help of others. But we learned some things, and found a shift in focus and perspective. We missed the outdoors, and space within nature to experience and appreciate the peace & beauty. The Portland house was put up for sale, we bought a tiny house, and moved to a little town in the “valley” between Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. Our son was able to attend the local school for a few weeks, and my husband and I settled into virtual work (quite interesting in a tiny home  with both of us attending virtual meetings).

During the summer, we enjoyed the outdoors and went to a conference where I held and played a crystal alchemy singing bowl for the first time. It was life changing, and I knew they would play a role in my future. When August hit, and we prepared to send our son to school, there was a hesitancy for both my husband and I. Thankfully, our neighbor introduced us to a group who were meeting to look at and discuss homeschool options. We found our answer, I had no idea of the logistics for myself personally, but it felt right. I quit my job and began homeschooling in October 2021.

On the second day I had our son gather some leaves for an art project. He asked me, “What are the instructions?” I said, "use them as you like, crayons, paint, what would you like to create?” He replied, “but I need to know what you want me to do”. I said, “I want you to make something you want, just use the leaves, and let the ideas come to you.” He gave me a huge hug and said, “Mom, you’re the best teacher I’ve ever had!” Although playing the bowls isn’t as full time as I originally anticipated, life has a way of showing me what is needed and best for all. Looking back over the years (with hindsight 20/20), I wish I had the bowls throughout the transitions of life: moving, illness and death, stress, restlessness…

I can name a dozen times off the top of my head where taking a little time for me to create, celebrate, and bathe in sounds of the singing bowls would have reminded me of the sacred sovereign space to ease and provide respite from the stress I was feeling.