HydroJenn Farms was inspired by life events that served as catalysts for change and for finding hope and real happiness. Credit to Chay Tanya Lila (chaytanyalila.bandcamp.com) for the soundtrack (None of This).
As the youngest of 14 children in a close-knit family, I am in an unenviable position of having to witness family members a lot older than me suffer through diseases, disorders, old age, and deaths.
One of my sisters died of breast cancer when I was 20. A dear cousin lived a challenging life with epilepsy until she died at 18 years old. An older brother died from lung cancer and another sister died from a heart attack.
My father left this world from a stroke and my mother passed on in her 80s simply because her body could no longer function from the loss of muscles as a result of having had 14 children in a country where health care is substandard.
As a mother, a sister, and an aunt, I am no stranger to the heartbreak of dealing with mental disorders–both from a lack of knowledge to be of help and my own experiences with depression.
I share my beloved mother-in-law’s story in a blog on this site because I’ve realized that in all these experiences with suffering, there was always something good that came with it.
My sister Gloria’s death led me to path of finding my real identity and purpose in life. A loved one’s bipolar diagnosis forced me to grow up and get out of my comfort zone so I can embark on a journey to explore alternative solutions for promoting mental well-being.
I know a lot more today tha 30 years ago and I’m still learning every day. There’s nothing I can do anymore for those who have left this world, but I know there is something I can do for those who are still around and in need of help. And despite all the heartbreaks from losing loved ones, I am lucky because I have people around me who share my passion for helping people. We might be a small farm but we have big hopes and dreams. I hope you’ll join us in our quest to give meaning in people’s lives, one way or another. Namaste.