Several years ago, I read a book called, “A Heart in a Body in the World, by Deb Caletti. In the book, Annabelle is recovering from a sexual assault by someone she calls "The Taker." She develops PTSD and decides the only way she can cope is to run across the United States. Her run becomes a fundraiser and awareness campaign, attracting national attention. She eventually reconnects with Luke, the boy she likes. One day Luke tells her about a "wolf tree."

He states that a wolf tree is an old tree that has survived despite harsh conditions and stands strong because it grew out in the open. He uses it as a metaphor for Annabelle's strength and resilience following the assault. Due to the tree not being protected by other trees, it was exposed to lightning, wind, snow, and ice. It bears obvious scars and looks twisted and damaged. Despite the damage it’s endured, it continues to live and if you look closely toward the top of the tree, closer to the sunshine, you will witness signs of new growth.

I put a sticky note on the page of that book and couldn’t stop thinking about how this metaphor applied to so many people I have worked with. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of creating a safe place for people to share their stories, often the parts that are hardest to put into words. Being trusted with those stories is something I never take lightly. But one of the most meaningful parts of this work is getting to walk alongside people as they begin to reach for the light again. I get to witness those first signs of new growth, walking alongside individuals and reminding them of their own strength and resilience. Going on my own has always been something that has been on my heart, but I wasn’t sure of the logistics, timing, etc. so I stuck that book in my nightstand and kept the page marked.

Fast forward a few years and after deciding to part ways with a business partner, my husband, Eric, needed a new name for his landscape company, he took my idea and became Wolf Tree Landscapes. At first, I was annoyed and believed I had lost my incredible business name idea, however, over the last year I have spent a lot of time reflecting and thinking that maybe I didn’t lose my name but instead I found the name I needed. Healing isn’t about pretending your story didn’t happen. It’s about discovering that regardless of the hurt, heartache, pain, trauma, abuse, etc., that growth can still happen. Strength, courage and resilience are only part of the story, the journey is where the healing really begins to happen. When we, as humans, can own and embrace our stories, but not let it continue to define who we are and what our relationships look like. Every person that comes through my door has their own unique story. My job isn’t to erase the story, the hurt, or the heartache. It’s to support people as they learn to hold what they’ve been through while discovering that pain and growth CAN exist at the same time—that even after the hardest seasons, they can still reach toward the light and keep growing, it's all a part of the journey.

I got to thinking that although we work in two very different industries, our work can be similar in many ways as well.  Eric has the opportunity to meet with clients in their homes and bring their unique story and vision to reality by creating an outdoor oasis. That area might be a space where clients go to ground themselves and reset their nervous system, to practice gratitude and embrace the beauty around them, or maybe it’s somewhere they sit to feel closer to loved ones they’ve lost. Or possibly, it’s just taking landscapes that have been neglected or damaged and creating something beautiful. Regardless of the purpose, he too, meets clients where they’re at, just like I do.

Maybe the idea of the wolf tree was just the introduction to my journey as a private practice owner, and the next chapter became Wholehearted Journeys, where every story is honored and every journey is celebrated.