~ Enchanted Makeovers. May I introduceTerry Grahl, helping women & children in shelters ... ~

***I sought out Terry to bring attention to her wonderful work, for our lady blog friends. This is an article that her editor, Kim Lampe, has shared with me. Kim is the Founder, Modern B*A*G Ladies, & Enchanted Makeovers Newsletter Editor. I ask you to visit this wonderful Terry & the works she does, & maybe you can contribute to this wonderful effort of hers. *** TYSM ~ Marydon

~~~~~~~IT’S A BABY GIRL!!! “Oh my gosh, look at all that hair.” Those hair ribbons will look so precious in all that hair. Can you believe all that hair? Ok, I think she looks just like her mommy, except for the nose. Papa Norm? Ha! I think she has Papa’s nose. I’m sure she will grow into it eventually. Barbara Streisand eat your heart out. This little girl just might steal your spotlight someday.

She’s going to love her nursery, all decked out in pale yellow with a hint of pink & red. Flowers, bunnies and bumble bees. Of course the comfy rocker in the corner is ready for those late night feedings. The small lamp will give just enough light to wash over your sweet innocent face. There you go. Go back to sleep. Maybe I will hold you just a bit longer, gazing quietly, dreaming of what lies ahead for you. Oh, will you be ready for this world someday soon? Will the world be ready for you? Yes let’s just stay here, you and me. Rocking. Cuddling. We’re safe in your nursery.

IT’S A GIRL!!! Girls can be so catty at such a young age. It just kills me to see them be so mean to each other. It’s all a part of growing up I suppose.

IT’S A YOUNG LADY!!! 12 going on 30. Just yesterday I was tying her shoes and combing her hair. Today, she’s making plans with her girlfriends. Sleep over or bowling party?

SHE’s A WOMAN!!! “Hello world. I’m ready for my spotlight. I’ve arrived….Or maybe not. What am I to do? What am I to say? Where can I find the answers? Am I even supposed to know these things? Gosh I thought it would get easier by now.”

Born into one sisterhood, yet quickly divided and categorized into one of several exclusive one’s. As sisterhood’s go, it seems there are many. Some easily melt together, but others, towering walls of steel without widows. What if, just what if, we left it at, “IT’S A BABY GIRL”? Well, she’s probably not going to pick out the color of her nursery, decide whether she wears jeans or dresses, or when she is ready to eat cereal.

Her surroundings, as a baby girl, A young girl and a woman will have much influence over her as she grows. She will try on labels and other will place them upon her as well. Will she have the courage to shed those that do not belong to her, given to her upon her conception? Oh to have that sanctuary to reconnect with herself. It’s a pale yellow with a hint of pink and red. There are flowers, sunshine and fresh linens hung to dry. Oh yes, now I remember. It’s safe here. I can dream here. I can be myself here.

Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers ~ ( www.enchantedmakeovers.org ) ~ learned as a child that having an environment that surrounded her with enchantment was as important as a yummy, hot meal and roof over her head. She watched her mother nurture their surroundings as much as she nurtured her children. Their house was a living breathing home, that provided the life blood to their hopes and dreams. It was a permanent infusion that lasted through the test of times.

Terry Grahl has come full circle. IT’S A BABY GIRL! Terry truly believes that as woman we are a part of one inclusive sisterhood. When the spotlight is shown upon Terry she reflects the light back to her sisters, as if they were just born, ready to receive the gifts and dreams, all women were meant to recognize and accept.

In January 2007, Terry Grahl received a call from a gentlemen asking for help. He was the black tie event coordinator of a local shelter, and said, ''we would be so grateful even if you just painted one wall.'' Terry visited the shelter, and was saddened by the depressing conditions of the dormitory-style bedroom, bathroom and public spaces for women dealing with drug addiction and domestic abuse. Terry promised to do more than one wall. She vowed to create a space for those women and their children that would revive their broken spirits and help them heal.

Who could have imagined that a wall, a bed, a polka dotted pillow would set in motion the journey to where Terry is today? Terry did transform that shelter she set foot in, January 2007. She turned it into a sanctuary that the women today nurture, just like her mother. It was transformed into a place where they nurture themselves and others.

Throughout the past 2 years Terry has shown the light upon women and children in the shelters and upon others who have joined her in sharing their time and talents towards the projects and the reflecting light has enabled the hatching of another project. Project Traveling Sanctuary”, takes the projects on the road and encourages other women to join the inclusive sisterhood by sharing their hopes and dreams.

Go to www.enchantedmakeovers.org to learn more. Hey you already belong to this sisterhood, so you might as well check it out. Like Terry says, “Everyone gets a makeover.”