This picture of my son encompasses his loving, vibrant spirit. He views the world with wonder and excitement. He finds joy in the simplest moments and celebrates life every day. He is the center of our universe and, at this moment, we’re the center of his.

Recently, innocent migrant children were robbed of their carefree, happy spirits when they were ripped from their parents arms. This is beyond unjust and inhumane. I’ve never been more emotionally affected by a political decision in my life. Although this torturous act was recently halted, the administration has already caused intense trauma to thousands of babies, children and their parents still hoping and waiting, many in poor conditions, to be together again.

As many of you probably feel, I have a strong need to help these children reunite with their parents ASAP. In the meantime, it’s important that they’re given the love and care they need. Since hundreds of children are being held in NY, The Summer of Love Project will be holding a number of collections throughout the summer to help supply the Abbott House and the Cayuga Centers with the goods they need.  The first round of our collection will begin Monday.  See my next blog post for specific details.  

These children need their parents more than anything.  Let’s work together and keep our efforts going strong until these families are reunited.

Love,

Taryn ❤

I have a great respect for women and what we’re capable of whether we have children or not.  To me, moms who care for their babies are truly amazing.  Moms of multiples are on another level.  And moms doing it all on their own are superheroes.  Wow.  All of you women are queens to me.

As a new mom, I understand that pregnancy, delivery, and the early stages of motherhood can be incredibly exciting, challenging, and so fulfilling.  Having a support system and the means to provide and care for our children is not something all mothers have, and that just doesn’t sit well with me.  I cannot imagine what it might be like for a woman to have to worry about whether she’ll have a next meal or a place to sleep so she and her baby will be nourished and safe.  Or have to wonder if she’ll have the means to properly clothe her child.  Moms should be able to simply love their babies while focusing on bonding with their infants and the development of their children.  Stressing about survival is not something parents should have to experience in this day and age.

The Agape House is a facility that takes in homeless families in Somerset county.  I’ve volunteered here a number of times while completing service projects with my students and participating in a day of service through my school.  Most of the residents here are mothers with their babies and children.  The Agape House provides their residents with a place to live, food, clothing, employment counseling, child enrichment activities, and transportation.  Based on my experiences with their 24 hour support staff, it’s clear that they are incredibly kind people. 

I’m organizing a collection for the Agape House, located at 124 East Main Street in Somerville, NJ.  The collection will last from Monday, June 3 – Saturday, June 23.  Jabari and I will deliver the goods to the Agape House on Sunday, June 24.  I’ve been in touch with the Agape House staff, and they provided me with a list of items they need.  They expressed that donations significantly decrease during the summer months, so any contribution you’d like to make is greatly appreciated.  

Please see below for a list of items and other important information about the collection.  Contact me via the contact page on this website or direct message on Instagram (link at bottom of page).  

Thank you so much!

Love,

Taryn ❤

 

Thank you for all of your generous donations! 

Photos From the Agape House Collection delivery on June 24:

 

I’m baaccckkkk!  I took a summer off to, you know, have a baby and stuff.  No big thang.  But seriously.  Talk about life changing!  The love I have for my son has often left me speechless, mouth agape, jaw on floor… until a stream of his pee hits the back of my mouth and I’m quickly reminded that I have a very important job to complete.  Wipe him and get the clean diaper on before he pulls a collegiate level wrestling move and whips onto his stomach as I struggle to close the Pamper for a solid 7 minutes while pleading with him to stay on his back.  But I digress.

My sweet angel baby, Zion, was born in September.  In his 8 months of life, he has been my greatest teacher thus far.  His Rastafarian name means heaven on earth.  He has been that and so much more to my husband and me.  Jabari and I adore everything about this beautiful soul that was brought into our lives.  I am deeply honored to be the one to care for him.  Motherhood is everything.  I frequently feel so many emotions with the greatest intensity.  My favorite one, of course, is this new unconditional, pure love I experience daily.

An incredibly important reminder motherhood has given me is the absolute necessity of loving ourselves and making time for ourselves in order to provide genuine care and love to others.  Self love must be present in order to spread love to others.

I can’t wait to share love, positive vibes, kindness, and realness as I share my perspective and experiences with all of you.  I’m so happy to get this Summer of Love started with a full heart and a very new perspective.  Oh, and a new and improved title, Mama.

Love,

Taryn ❤

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