Founder. Speaker. Smiler. Vet. Mom.
When I was 12, my dad gave me a personal journal with the below inscription:
For Sarah, Seminal thoughts and stunning art from women who have changed the world around them… With love, Dad. Christmas 1992.”
Printed inside one finds timeless quotations from writers and poets like Marilyn Vos Savant, Annie Dillard, Margaret Atwood, Rosie Thomas, and Toni Morrison. In my subsequent teenaged years, I filled remaining white space with inspirational sayings of everyone from Jesse Owens to Queen Victoria to Styx, on topics from unity to dedication to possibility to time; courage, risk, dreams, love, happiness, and speed. I wrote out full verses of favorite songs (Rod Stewart, Forever Young; 10000 Maniacs, These Are Days). At some point in the past 3 decades, I went back through and starred every 5 quotes or so with a clunky star in blue or purple ball point. I can’t remember when or why.
“To keep something, you must take care of it. More, you must understand just what sort of care it requires. ”
I’ve kept the book at arms length since 1992. It came with me to school, overseas in the Army, and always surfaces among moving boxes. I meander through it often: it reminds me that I don’t change much, inspires my work, and begs me to spread its lessons far and wide through my life and career.
Raising strong women
I was meant to have 2 daughters. Throughout my life and career, I have championed strong women and aimed to be one. Now I am raising them with joy.
Creating new things
I love to invent, and have the garage to prove it. Turn the page at the below links to share the loot. The motivation to create has shaped my life, family, and career.
Smiling
When I walk into the grocery store, random people say “wow, you are so happy” — a lot. I never thought of intrinsic happiness as novel, but I’ve come to appreciate that it is a gift to share.