This is my
story
I believe that every person's story is unique and holds the power to not only empower change, but also to provide a place for others to feel seen.
Hi, I'm Jen
I am a mom, wife, interior designer, sustainable materials specialist, storyteller, christian, earth enthusiast and the list goes on. I grew up in Washington State, have to say state since people think I mean D.C., and love all things about the outdoors and nature. I mean, have you seen the picturesque view of Mount Rainier lately? Just ignore the snow melting, but that's for a separate blog post.
I am passionate about human health and learning about the daily toxins that we are exposed to. This has always been a concern, although after having my daughter and diving deep into the chemical makeup of materials than I ever thought I would, I've been on high alert with what enters our home. Some may say it drives my husband a little crazy, but that's ok!
It's true what they say, you don't know what you don't know, and we can't begin to know what we don't know if we don't expand our horizons and learn from others. That's where this blog comes in and I'm excited to learn right along side you! I'm here to push the boundaries, bring in science and facts while providing a space, and some grace, for it to be ok if we don't know.
This is where my story begins
Close your eyes.......
No just kidding, then you wouldn't be able to read this. Keep your eyes open, and imagine a blonde curly haired brown eyed little 9-year-old girl who is at the peak of her 4th grade year, spending days with her stay at home mom who takes her to soccer practice (or football if you're from the other side of the pond) and everywhere else her heart desires. She enjoys climbing the center tree of the col-de-sac, devouring Swedish pancakes at grandma's house every Saturday, and Monday to Friday waiting for her dad to get home from work to be able to run into his arms for a big bear hug!
It's a beautiful picture, isn't it?
I think so too, and it was.
I never wanted those days to end, picking pears off my pear tree at grandma's house, pruning roses with my mom and dad, fixing the car or house on our own since my dad was a doer, driving 13 hours to Virginia City, Montana to stay at Just an Experience only for the weekend so my dad could fix the city's player piano's for free and traveling near and far for family reunions. I am truly grateful, and in some ways lucky, to have the childhood that I did.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and did it ever. Our world got flipped upside down the day we heard those forbidden words spoken...
"YOU HAVE CANCER"
In a span of one year, my mom and I's world was rocked so hard we didn't know which way was up, and sometimes we still don't. We were not only told that my dad had stage 4 bladder cancer, but my grandma (his mom) passed away with a sudden heart attack on New Years Eve. Then 10 months later my dad lost his battle with cancer after fighting long and hard for his life.
My dad's fight wasn't easy, he experienced the depression that comes from sitting in a windowless exam room, traveling to Mexico for available treatment, not wanting all the toxins in his body from radiation and being told in a hospital how they could help him end his life. I always ask myself, what caused the cancer? Was it his exposure to environmental or occupational toxins? What if his experience in these environments were different, would he still be here? What if he had a window in that exam room when he told us he was done fighting the good fight and wanted to go home? Would his decision have been different? What if....?
I know that I will never know the answers to these questions until I see him again, but I can do my best to help minimize the need for others to go down this never-ending spiral of what ifs.
beautiful
Life was never and will never be the same without him and there was so much pain and heartache. But what came out of it, with years of counseling and self-care, has been nothing less than
My dad instilled in me that we must show compassion and love for others and to help those that are in need no matter what they look like, sound like, or believe in, which put me on a trajectory to the point in life where I am now.
Since my sophomore year of college, I knew that I wanted to help people in my interior design career. At first, I thought it was designing hospitals. Then, I thought it was designing any space with sustainability and healthy materials in mind. But THEN, after almost a decade in the industry, I realized that I didn't have only one focus, and instead I wanted to help a broader spectrum of people be able to accomplish making the built environment healthier and safer which would ultimately benefit the planet and the livelihood of future generations.
I truly believe that my dad helped guide me down this path that I'm living, taking a few detours along the way, and the desire to help others live healthier lives as they experience the built environment (buildings) wherever they work, live, play, or learn.
With my knowledge as a certified interior designer and experience as a sustainable materials specialist, I am focusing on public education, consulting, mentoring students and public speaking to ensure healthier materials are understood and being specified. Although that work is always important, my passion lies in telling personal stories, like the one of my dad, to educate and provide hope to others so hopefully they can improve their own environments or to encourage others to make changes that will benefit everyone. I am not limiting this work to only healthy materials, but the health of our everyday lives. It's a chain reaction, one person, that has one idea can make one change that could make one movement is a powerful thing.
If my story, or one of those that I'm blessed to share with you here, can change a life in a positive way, then my heart is full and
my job here is done.
