Everyone has times in their lives when they do not know what to say or how best to express their love, concerns, understanding or presence. February 1st 2013 was the day my husband Michael and I had the opportunity to continue the work that Caroline Cheshire began ten years prior. We are honored to be the new owners of Healing Baskets and to continue Caroline’s legacy. Caroline stated her hope, “Healing Baskets will give you something, whether gifts, words or just courage to reach out so that you won’t miss the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life when they need it most,” and this spoke to our hearts and our need to help people connect.
After three years we believe it is time to rename the blog and be a resource for The Perfect Sentiment for all that life puts before us. Here at The Perfect Sentiment I will share some of our life experiences but most of all I hope to inspire you to reach out with kindness to those in your life. My dream is for this blog to become a place for conversation and idea sharing. Please plan on stopping by and commenting regularly.
Below is Caroline’s story of why she began Healing Baskets, it is both beautiful and moving.
Heidi and Michael Jakoby
Co-owners, Healing Baskets
You cannot hide. All of us at some time will have to face several of life’s great challenges. For me, it was my first miscarriage; my first experience of a broken dream and gut wrenching grief. For a few weeks I sunk to an all-time low. Some friends and family sent flowers, but they definitely didn’t want to talk about it. They were embarrassed by my sadness and I was alone with my loss. Some friendships were just never the same…
I’ve also been lonely, in a new town, with two young daughters and 6 week old twins and been told I have thyroid cancer. After my thyroid was removed it was found to be pre-malignant. But I will never forget how scared I was and how much I needed a friend….
I’ve also lost dear relatives and friends, one of them being my daughter’s 10-year old friend Lindsay. There is not word to explain the loss of a child. I’ve also had countless loved ones fight cancer. They’ve felt frightened, and I’ve felt inadequate.
All these experiences have brought me to this place. And it’s because my best friend and husband, and four wonderful daughters gave me their unconditional support, that my dream to help brighten lives, one friend at a time, became reality in September of 2003.
I don’t believe in coincidences. Whether it was ‘stumbling’ into Nancy Winternight’s web site and falling in love with her beautiful healing angels or my Uncle leaving me some money when funding was the obstacle. When one door closed, another door always opened.
My hope is that Healing Baskets will give you something, whether gifts, words or just courage to reach out, so that you won’t miss the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life when they need it most.
We welcome your feedback – your ideas, thoughts, and words of wisdom. Email us at customerservice@healingbaskets.com.
Brightening lives, one friend at a time,
Caroline Cheshire
Founder, Healing Baskets