Heather
I came to Bloomington as a 6-year-old child with my mother, pretty much as exiles from situations in California. 50 years later I’m still here – though transplanted, the roots grew deeply.
Deciding to be a therapist that works with children when I was still a child myself, that dream expanded into teaching, mentoring, and advocacy. That a sustained writing practice would emerge from play & relationship makes sense. I’m a play therapist! My life’s work is embedded in an understanding of the profundity of play – though I think my general nature is more pensive than playful.
It also makes sense that this practice started not in striving to write, but serendipitously emerged from texting with a friend. A simple sharing of self.
I’ve always loved to play with words – I was the kid that actually derived pleasure from having to use my spelling words in a sentence (though it didn’t help me with spelling) and to craft prose with my French vocabulary words just because I could!
In all ways of being, I enjoy creating soothing spaces, relationships, and experiences that invite exploration and discernment. I maintain a sense of awe and an appreciation for poignant & tender beauty.
Georg’ann
I moved to Bloomington in 1981, and in the way of 20-somethings, I knew who I was and what I wanted to do: to be a historian, to teach. I did both – I became a historian and I taught.
But things never stay the same – though in essence I am still very much the historian and educator that I was when I came. Added in, after 20+ years of working with families, I became and still am very much the doula (though I hold space differently than I did when it was my work). Other things that changed are my understanding and deep appreciation of community, connections, and playfulness. And I especially have come to love using creativity and play to create spaces for sharing – in food or gardens, through conversation, games, or advocating to make the world a better place (that can be joyous too, right?).
A love of wordplay and language are also central to me (surrealist word games are a cherished family tradition). But, if you had asked me: are you a writer? I would have said no. This daily practice with Heather has caused me to add to my sense of self: I am a reader, a cook, a gardener, a lover of word games, and now, a little bit of a writer.