On This Morning
On This Morning
On this morning, five long years ago, our son Angel Craig left the worn, tired, sickly body he lived in and flew free with his newly earned angel wings. As we reflect on the anniversary of Craig’s departure from this earth and all the emotions and happenings that surrounds, what follows is a celebration of his entry into this world and all the wonderful things he brought us and taught us.
This June, in honor of Craig’s life, we will participate in a walk to help raise funds for Sunrise Day Camp, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. Craig was fortunate to attend Sunrise Day Camp the summer before he died and the beauty of love and hope it poured into Craig – and into us through Craig – remains alive to this day.
I can still see Craig on the day we – Andre, Craig, Demari, Nylah, and I – drove to Sunrise Day Camp for a family fun day filled with games, music, food, smiles, and laughter. Craig was beside himself with excitement as we drove to the camp grounds. As soon as we arrived, Craig darted out of our van and headed to the picnic area where all the families and staff had gathered.
It was what happened next that I still remember and that I will not ever forget. It was Craig, and he was running towards us. In his stride, I saw in Craig things that I had not seen since diagnosis – things that I had not ever seen in such potency. As if time slowed to short fragments, I could see the magnitude of Craig’s resounding happiness and unspeakable joy. A euphoric aura illuminated in him and around him and followed his sprint that appeared divinely light and easy. I was equally speechless as I was mesmerized.
It was at that moment, in those seconds of watching Craig run towards us, that I realized Sunrise Day Camp had given back to Craig what cancer had taken away from him: his youth. The care-free, fun-filled youth that seemed to vanish without warning was now back and better than ever.
We owe it to the spirit and the people – from campers to staff – of Sunrise Day Camp for giving Craig back this precious gift. We want to ensure that other children with cancer can have (and keep) this gift by participating in the SunriseWalks.
We would love for you to join us.
Click here to support team DELTON: ANGEL CRAIG.
When: Sunday, June 9th 9am.
Where: Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, 75 Colonial Springs Rd, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798
How:
Join Our Team: $20 Adults over 17 years. $5 Children over 5 years.
Virtural Walker: $10. Not located at the walk site? Walk from where you are located.
Sponsor: Not a walker? Contribute to Team Delton: Angel Craig in an amount of your choosing.
Your participation will make a difference in a life of a child.
read moreLabor of Love: Natural Remedies for Labor and Delivery
Labor of Love: Natural Remedies for Labor and Delivery
by Elaina Watkins
On Sunday, April 7th, we met and welcomed our newest family member, baby Sanaa (pronounced Suh – nah) into our hearts and our lives. Sanaa was born at home, surrounded by her parents, siblings, extended family and love. While we were fortunate to birth Sanaa in the comfort of our home, I experienced a few discomforts inherent with giving birth and used a few household ingredients to provide relief. Some discomforts and remedies were:
- Raspberry Leaf for Labor Pains and to Strengthen Uterus. To aid in pain relief that comes during and after labor and to strengthen my uterus, I drank Raspberry Leaf tea throughout my entire pregnancy and after giving birth.
- Coconut Oil to Wash Afterbirth. To wash the vernix, the thick, white substance off of Sanaa’s skin, we used Coconut Oil. Cleansing her skin with oil is a more gentle, soothing and moisturizing method of removing this thick substance from her skin. Some other great alternatives are Olive and Jojoba oils.
- Shea Butter for Sore Nipples. To heal my sore nipples from breastfeeding I used Shea Butter, my all-time favorite healing balm. Pure Lanolin is another great aid in healing sore nipples.
Other Remedies:
Witch Hazel for Hemorrhoids and Herbal Mix for Perineal Tears. Although I did not experience it this time around, I have often experienced hemorrhoids and perineal tears from giving birth. To reduce and soothe my hemorrhoids, I had a bottle of distilled Witch Hazel handy and to heal perineal tears I had a host of organic herbs available to mix together for an herbal sitz bath that included Lavender Flower, Plantain Leaf, Chamomile, Comfrey Leaf, Comfrey Root, and Calendula.
Whether giving birth in a hospital, at a birthing center, or at home, there are many household ingredients available to help relieve some of the most common discomforts associated with labor and delivery. What are some of the ingredients you find useful?
read moreGive Your Body A Spring Splash
Give Your Body A Spring Splash
Spring has arrived! One of the exciting ways you can put yourself in a spring kind of mood is by creating your very own body splash.
Like facial splashes, body splashes are refreshing astringents. When adding your favorite essential oils to your recipe, body splashes can also serve as a mild perfume or cologne.
Body splashes can be made using a variety of astringents such as water, vinegar, juice, or pure grain alcohol. The recipe below uses water that you will find quite refreshing:
1 Spray or Mist Bottle
1-2 oz of Water
5-10 drops of Peppermint, Lemon, or Lime Essential Oil (or your favorite).
Refrigerate after use and dispose of body splash after one week.
Wish You Healthy, Radiant Skin….And So Much More.
Elaina
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Life After Death: Welcoming Baby #6
Elaina’s Corner
An Intimate Look Into Her Life as Wife, Mom, Author, and CEO
Life After Death: Welcoming Baby #6
by Elaina Watkins
The Spring months will always be a special time of the year for us. It marks the anniversary of my mother’s birth and passing in March, my late sister Sophia’s birth in April, our son Craig’s passing and birth in May and June respectively, and the miscarriage of our unborn baby just one week before my mother passed.
As with the season, these anniversaries plant much needed sunshine and warmth into our hearts, becoming a seedbed of our inner blooming. It compels us to reflect upon and appreciate what was and from that, what has come.
One of the joyous things that will come to our family this April, at the heart of these anniversaries, is a budding source of love and light, baby #6. Too many of our loved ones have passed away, migrating from this Earth to the divine place where spirits dwell while plowing deep sadness into the well of our being. What has filled this space is a deeper, more pronounced sense of joy in learning of the loved one who will soon spring into our lives and flower our hearts with love.
We do not know if our blossom is a boy or a girl. What we do know is that a safe, peaceful labor and homebirth of our healthy baby is a miraculous blessing and another example of the watering our garden receives every season of our lives.
read moreAre Clay Masks For Me?
Are Clay Masks For Me?
Clay masks are wonderful at cleansing, detoxifying, and tightening the skin. They are also mineral rich and super absorbent as they draw excess oil from the skin and can even dry out pimple
Because clay masks are known for their absorbing properties, they are great for oily skin but may not always be the best option for those with dry skin.
Clay masks are also known for its incredible ability to tighten the skin and are rich in minerals, qualities beneficial to all skin types.
If you have dry skin and want to take advantage of the mineral-enriching, skin-tightening benefits of clay, try mixing your clay powder with a moisturizing oil such as olive or avocado instead of water.
Wishing You Healthy, Radiant Skin….And So Much More.
Elaina
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