Henna Pamoja

I miscarried my first child in July. It had taken over 2.5 years of treatment to medically prepare my body for the blessed gift of a child, and the weeks I got to walk with my sweet little growing miracle baby were the sweetest treasure.

We named him Asher, meaning, “happy” and “blessed” in Hebrew, for he sure made us both in his short little life.

I delivered my baby’s tiny body on the day he would have been 11 weeks old, had his little heart but continued to beat. We buried him in a beautiful handmade box from Turkey, inlaid with mother of pearl and lined in soft velvet. He was buried under a magnificent pine tree under the rustling of pine needles—which is his daddy’s favorite sound of peace.

I’m thankful for creative ways to visualize things too deep for words… Asher’s illustration helped break the creative block that grief held me in. I’m also thankful to live in a time when miscarriage can be talked about and women don’t have to grieve silently.

All this said, I’ve completely neglected my henna account this summer. I’m getting back on the henna horse this week, and will begin working on henna rhythms again with social media. I’m human and healing takes time.

Thanks for the grace and time to pull away and breathe 🧡 I haven’t done any events this summer, and won’t be attending any events until India Fest, which is November 9th in Memphis, TN. This means no JIFAF for me this year unfortunately, but I’m needing more time before diving into full days of needing extended creative bandwidth. I will continue doing personal appointments in the meantime, just message to schedule something. Thanks, guys 🫶

Lauren is jagua-ready for the school dance! Designs inspired by a requested Pinterest photo from an unknown artist 🧡

I got to be the henna artist for a surprise henna birthday party 🥰🧡 Ms. Cindy had gotten henna on a trip she took to Morocco back in the 90s, and last night she got it again for a birthday surprise—surrounded by friends and family 🧡 her daughter found my account and planned this wonderful surprise party for her mom 🥰 to see the joy on her face when the surprise was announced—day made! It was such a sweet event and getting to be a part of celebrating such a precious soul was a true honor. Henna birthday parties are always a good idea! 🧡🧡🧡

Happy birthday, 🧡 design inspired by a requested photo from an unknown artist.