Life in the Village is pretty amazing. It has quickly become so much more than a loose band of moms helping moms. It has taken on a life and pulse of its own. I admit, I live and breathe the Village. We recently held a giveaway event for the families we serve – the aim was to provide every child in the Village with a winter jacket and enough warm clothes to last until spring. The event involved a lot of planning, sorting, hauling, cleaning … it was a true labor of love workin

I’ve never blogged before. I follow blogs, and am always in awe how people can sound so eloquent and interesting in discussing what’s on their mind. Anna has a way with writing that sucks you into the story and pulls at your heartstrings. I fumble with messaging to put into birthday cards. But, this is the first time inspiration has struck me so much I felt compelled to put pen to paper. Or in 2015, fingers to a keyboard. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a bat

Kneeling on my living room floor, I’m watching and listening as my 18-month-old son plays with a baby swing I’ve just finished cleaning. We are testing the batteries to be sure everything works and is ready for a new baby. The music playing is a melody I’ve never heard before but, I realize, it will become an indelible part of new life very soon. The story behind the swing is totally unremarkable, but what the swing represents to me is breathtakingly beautiful. Last Sunday mo

I've known Ethan and Stacy for almost a year, and in that year a lot has changed. The first time I met them was in the parking lot of Dulles Town Center on a cool, damp November morning. I remember bringing her some diapers and winter clothing. When Stacy reached out to me via the Village, we had just begun and I didn't have the massive amount of support I have now. We didn't have any clothes for her son and so I pilfered from my son’s closet - shoes, jeans, shirts, a winter