Step by Step

Almost five years ago, a group of women was birthed from a cry of desperation on my part. Our youngest child was born on Mother's Day 2009, so each passing of this time of year brings up memories of our birth story. The weeks and months that followed this transitory birth were more challenging than I ever could have imagined. I have a distinct memory of our, then, three year old coming into the bathroom to me bawling on the floor, crying out for release. She said, "What's wrong, mommy?" That was when I knew that something had to change.

I am not sure if it was that very day or a few days later, but I sat down and formulated an email, of which its contents I do not remember. I enrolled our eldest in preschool and invited women from my Hypnobabies class to meet to hike. 

That day, something in me changed. I moved away from judgement of the "terrors" of my life to seeking a solutions. Every time we choose to shift our judgement of ourselves/ others/ our circumstances to connecting outside our thinking, we heal ourselves and we heal the world. My healing began that day. 

The mama numbers were small to begin. There were a few of us that consistently showed up in those sweltering months of August in 2009. I still cannot believe some of the hikes we did in that heat with little ones in tow. By October, we had a brigade and thus the name, Bambino Brigade.

This story has many characters and many more stories. The point of me bringing it up today is this: each moment in life is about taking one step at a time. I was not instantaneously better the moment I decided to write that email. I didn't immediately have some of the best friends I could ever pray for. I did, however, make a decision to do something different. I chose to reach out and ask for help.

Years later, someone asked me how we did this. The answer is so simple: we showed up.

We celebrate five years in August since our first hike. The women and children that have been effected by this group are numerous. Honestly, I do not even know half of the women hiking these days... and the legacy lives on. One moment at a time, women keep showing up to change their perspective, their bodies, their lives. We inspire, encourage, support and love one another on and off the trails.  Each of us continue to show up for our lives.

Thank you, women - each of you that have contributed in mind, body or spirit to the birth of this community that still thrives! I am forever grateful.

Blessings!