28/04/2021
In 2007, I met Ellie and Jay at a parenting workshop. I had no idea I was sitting next to the couple who had been all over the news that same week, rescuing animals from a horrible hoarding situation. When I found out they were The Gentle Barn I turned into the biggest fan girl/ dork. Thankfully, they looked past that dorkiness and invited me to come to the barn.
Up until then, I had gone back and forth between being a vegetarian and omnivore. At that time, I was eating meat and wearing leather. I had this leather purse that was one of my favorite pieces, ever.
Setting foot on Gentle Barn soil was magical. The energy there is beyond words and the way it makes you feel is blissful (not kidding).
Anyway, at the barn, Ellie introduced me to Buddha, the cow, and Big Bird, the turkey (among all the other animals). Buddha hugged me and Big Bird was the first living turkey I ever met, up close and personal.
It was a wonderful day and Ellie and Jay could not have been more gracious. Not once did they comment on my wearing leather or my eating meat, they just introduced me to the animals and shared their stories.
The following day, I sat down to have lunch, a turkey sandwich, and I couldn’t do it. That was the end of my meat eating and leather wearing. I gave away all the leather I owned and became a vegetarian.
In 2011, after fully realizing the truth behind the dairy and egg industry, I became a vegan.
I will, forever, be grateful to Ellie and Jay for not judging me or guilting me. I have taken on the same philosophy; I do not judge anyone for their choices, I, simply, live my life and if they ask, I share MY experience. It is their choice where they go from there.
The Gentle Barn has been a huge part of my life. I would not have met my mentor and friend, Joan Ranquet, had it not been for Ellie. I would not have found my tribe and followed my passion and life’s calling had it not been for Ellie, Jay, Joan Ranquet and The Gentle Barn and CWALU (Communication with All Life University).
I am, now, helping animals and their people by being an animal communicator and energy healer. I am surrounded by the most amazing and loving tribe. I, finally, figured out what I wanted to do when I grew up!
Thank you, Buddha and Big Bird. You’re legacy will always live on. ❤️🙏🏼