Celebration Series

Written by V Readers

THE CELEBRATION SERIES
Helping You to Celebrate Life!

V readers share those things that bring them joy

Here on these pages, we post stories, photos, poems, insights - whatever V readers share with us that they want to share with the rest of you. Our latest addition is a powerful tale of recovery, of a woman who ran away from home when she was eleven, who was "buck wild in the streets," and who finally decided she'd had enough. Her struggle is reflected in her story.

To My Dear Family & Friends

Don't Stop

Soothing Tones

That Single Step

A Richmond Mom Moving On

Dodger's Perspective

A Refuge

A Story of Recovery

Hello, my name is Sarah Noonkester. I was born in Richmond, VA. I grew up in church - my grandmother, mother and daddy saw to that. But by the time I was eleven I ran away from home. That’s when the bad life set in for me.

I became buck wild in the streets. I had my first drink, and from there, my mother and daddy could do nothing with me. I wouldn’t stay in school. As years went by I got worse. By fifteen I had my first child. Her name is Diane. By the time I turned sixteen a gentleman entered my life. His name was Rodney, but everyone called him Star. Star is the one who started me on drugs. There I was, sixteen and shooting up heroine and speed. From there I went to powder cocaine. By the age of seventeen I received a fake I.D. Then bam, there I was testing it to see if I could get into the nightclubs after hours. That was my thing: going out every night and weekend clubbing, partying, hanging out with the grown ups like I was grown. I was like a freight train; nothing could stop me.

By eighteen I became a prostitute to get what Sarah, myself wanted, which was extra money. That’s when I started going to jail. But that didn’t stop me, because when I got out I was right back to what I was doing: my thing. As years went on, everything got way out of hand. I was in and out of jail so much it was a second home to me. I lost my first child. Then my second one was taken from me. That still didn’t stop me. It just gave me more time to run. I myself was almost killed seven times. I was out there trying to get money for my habit, getting busted by the vice. There was no stopping Sarah. It even came down to me having a heart attack. I didn’t let that get in my way. Sleeping on the street, staying in empty buildings because I didn’t want to pay rent. It was in my head: It’s all about me and no one else. I can do what I want to do. That’s the way it was for a while. As I rolled on many different things happened in my life. I stole from my mother and whomever else I could. I had bad luck, and lots of it. I went to jail for a while, stayed for three months, got out and was right back there every year after. There was me and my drugs and nothing else.

My habit grew so big that I would spend $200 to $300 or more on crack cocaine. I was ruining everybody’s life around me but I didn’t care. You see the drug was telling me to do this, so I was listening to Satan, not Jesus.

By the age of thirty-four I had been to jail one too many times. I said to myself, “I am tired of being tired.” So I went out and bought a crack pipe and a twethy and a beer. I looked at them and said, “I am tried.” Then I put up the window and threw the crack pipe out and poured the beer out and got down on my knees and started to pray: “Lord God please what ever you do, get rid of the taste from me.” Then I read Psalm 116, verses 1-9. And there it was: Jesus removed it from me on Feb 17, 04.

Now I, Sarah Noonkester, SISTER OF RECOVERY have my own substance abuse outreach program, and I go down to the jail and talk.

I would like to give thanks to my mentor, Ellen Hall, who never gave up on me or my life.

Surviving to Give

Dear V,

I am a massage therapist with an independent practice on the Southside of Richmond. After a little over a year in independent part-time practice, I moved to a new location and made the decision to specialize in therapeutic massage for women on a full-time basis. What guided me to massage in particular, and my specialty, comes from an unspoken compassion and empathy for women on their personal journey to find healing and inner peace. As part of the process of release in my craft, in confidence, people often share their own stories or what is causing them current stress.

I survived a fairly difficult childhood, enduring repeated incidences of physical and emotional abuse in my home. The ways in which I learned to cope led me down the path of two marriages/divorces ending in refuge at the local domestic abuse shelters in each of my places of residences in the Northeast, where I'm originally from. I came to Richmond five years ago, fleeing to start over at 45 years of age (unaware of the wonderful support and kindred community that exists here among women).

After nearly ten years as a caretaker in the nursing profession, massage therapy was a natural transition for me, and I've discovered my calling to be specifically to women, in that I have been a wife and working mother who has endured, and am thriving, thanks to some amazing, heart-based professional women (a lifecoach and an acupuncturist), as well as some very special clients who crossed my path here in Richmond, and helped cultivate the courage within me to step out on my own. Home for me is the healing arts, and it is with humble gratitude that I serve in this way. I donate one 90-minute massage each month to any woman from any walk of life who may be under stress, or dealing with some transition. I am also in the process of building a network of heart-based practitioners and resources in the area who I could refer clients to, as well as a 'borrow a book' library in my studio, full of inspirational wisdom from known authors.

My message to women, coming into my own season of wisdom, is, "You are entitled to overcome, to thrive...no matter what struggle you may be challenged with, or what age you are, you can shine!" I take great care in providing a nurturing place to enjoy the experience of massage and helping to inspire wellness and self-care to the women I work with. I incorporate added touches from my spa background to ensure a "pampered" feeling, and provide customized sessions, including inviting clients to bring their own music for their sessions if they choose.

Blessings to you, V Magazine!

Sincerely,

Donna L. Carlino, CMT

phone: 804-484-0474

www.massage-bydonna.com

Joie de Garden

Joie de Garden for Alexa Case

My Time Here

I try to keep fairly present in my mind that my time here is limited. That really focuses me on what’s important about what I do professionally—I love serving the 5,000 realtors but ultimately I like having a platform from which I can in some small way make the Richmond metropolitan region a better place, and not just for the haves but for the have-nots. That’s really what motivates me to get up every morning and say ‘How do I make the community better for everybody?’ We are not going to be all that we can be as a community unless we create a situation which everybody participates in the benefits.... Recognizing that my time is so limited, focuses me [at work], and I try to keep that I mind when I’m with my kids, and outside of work with friends—seeing the sunrise, having a great evening on the deck when it’s not 100° and humid; and looking at the peonies blooming in yard. All that makes you realize, these moments are really special and they can be pretty simple, but they’re really, really special and not to try to wish them away, but just to pause and take that in. Recognize that there’s only so many of these we’re going to get, so I think recognizing how short a time we have really, hopefully makes you focus on what the important stuff is, puts it in perspective.

Laura Lafayette

To my Dear Family and Friends, near and far:

Your extraordinary outpouring of good wishes, prayers, phone calls, e-mails, flowers, food, cards and letters has been such a blessing to me during my current health challenges with cancer. Russell and I have been lifted by every single one of you.

Our Richmond community offers many cancer-support services for me and my family. I am most impressed by the Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital (www.braintumorqol.org). Dr. Sherry Fox and her staff there have made a positive impact on so many patients and families like mine.

As an expression of my gratitude to everyone who has been so supportive to me, I have established a special project at the Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center, which I have named Healing Vibrations. Its purpose is to present ongoing live performances of healing music for the hospital’s in-patient and out-patient communities. I am fortunate to know many talented artists whose music has inspired me over the years, as well as motivating speakers of great wisdom and depth. To imagine bringing these performers and speakers here to share their healing music and spirit with other patients brings me a feeling of deep and abiding joy. Additionally, Healing Vibrations will offer other complementary therapeutic services to patients in need, such as healing touch, guided imagery, therapeutic massage, and more.

I couldn’t think of a better way to show my appreciation for all of you who have reached out to me with such loving kindness. So I am “paying it forward” by establishing this project, which will in turn benefit so many others in need of Healing Vibrations.

Thank you again for sparking my “brainstorm” (pun intended!) for Healing Vibrations through the Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center.

To learn more about my special project, or how to help, please visit the Center’s web site www.braintumorqol.org, and click the link for Healing Vibrations on the left side of the home page.

With a grateful heart,

Pam Finer

Don't Stop

My one thing would definitely be the phrase “Don’t Stop Believin’” (the one that’s tattooed on my foot). It was my good friend’s favorite song before he passed away, and every time my friends or me were feeling down, he would blast “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey to remind us that as long as we have faith in something, then we can always be happy.

Jessica Costanzo

Soothing Tones

One thing that brings light to my day is music. If I allow myself to stop and soak in the soothing tones of Pachelbel’s Canon in D, George Winston, or relaxing nature music, the tension will melt just enough that I can focus my thoughts.

Ann Taggert

That Single Step

I believe in the saying "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", because I know it's true. As an young actress and director, my experiences in the theatre have taught me so many great things about life and about myself. For a long time, I found myself wishing for juicier roles for women, more opportunities to direct, design, and create the type of theatre I believe can change the world. One day shortly after I graduated from college, I thought to myself, "Melissa, if you want all these things, don't wait for them to come along, why not start a company of your own?"

In the fall of 2007 I took a leap of faith and founded my own female theatre company, the Charlottesville Women's Theatre Project. Dedicated to the cause of creating theatre by women that the entire community can enjoy, we are now almost two years old. We have produced full productions, staged readings, and begun to offer a workshop series for female writers. This experience has made me feel more connected to my fellow women and community as a whole, and I can't tell you how empowered I feel. I have rediscovered my sense of play and my belief in dreams coming true.

It's easy for women to be hard on themselves or feel that they have roadblocks keeping them from what they desire, both personally and professionally. I will take this opportunity to say that I may not have made it to Broadway yet (though I won't rule out anything anymore) but I feel proud to be 25 years old and on this journey. Chasing your dream is like a ripple effect; you won't just be achieving something for yourself, you'll be passing it along to others, inspiring them to do the same. One of the actresses in our first production told me that she had waited years for an opportunity to come along that would allow her to get back into acting and that being a part of the production had blessed her life in so many ways. Her simple "Thank you" on closing night was enough to make the entire process worth it. It can be scary, but I encourage you to play, dream, leap, do, and savor every moment of sweet success that is sure to follow. Who knows where it will take you?

Melissa Lauricella
Co-Founder, Charlottesville Women's Theatre Project

A Richmond Mom Moving On

After five years working as a project manager for a large finance company (and, ironically, reporting to one of my best friends), our worlds crashed down around us as hundreds of us were laid off in November. It was ironic, that, after fifteen years in human resources, I didn’t know exactly where to begin to look for another job!

After several months, interviews, and thank-you-but-no-thank-you letters, I decided to take my site to the next level as a parenting resource for Richmond parents. I’ve traded my nice, window office for a laptop on my kitchen island, surrounded by three small "assistants" aged seven-and-under, scampering about as I clickety-clack away writing, musing, researching. I am so thankful for the amazing support that other Richmond entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and mothers have shown me throughout this venture. Last month, the site had over 10,000 visitors! I still have to pinch myself.

Regardless of where things go, I’ll never forget the support I’ve received during one of the most challenging points in my life, and promise to pay it forward to others!

Thank you for this great opportunity to share my story. V Magazine is a great resource for Richmond women! We are lucky to have a community in which we have such uplifting publications.

Kate W. Hall, RichmondMom.com

Dodger's Perspective

Claire Deitch writes, "This poem celebrates my dog and his rocky start in life when young. My emphasis is on the continuing challenge to keep the proper perspective, which in this environment can be difficult.... Thanks for your great magazine. Here's hoping that each day we find something to celebrate."

Dodger's Poem