Four years ago, in the fall of 2006, my husband, Chaden Halfhill, had a grand vision to create a building that lived and breathed as one with nature. One that worked respectfully with the environment, its seasons and cycles of light and darkness. One in which the human spirit and physical body could find peace and comfort within its walls. It is a lofty dream for the building industry and the first of its kind in Des Moines.
In this building – which we have named Healing Passages – he envisioned a healing, holistic women’s health center. A place for Willowsong Midwifery Care to grow and realize a dream of serving women through life, women healing themselves and each other, thereby reconnecting our village and building community together.
None of us at that time could have ever imagined it would take so long to come to fruition. What he has accomplished is a near miracle during a time of economic depression that impacted his construction company, Silent Rivers, very hard, and took much ingenuity to weather. This project has been an extraordinary effort of community passion, perseverance, commitment, sheer hours of work, and giving, on levels that far exceeded anyone’s expectations.
The moment is here. Groundbreaking! And we need and desire your energy, your support, your vision, your presence. Please, join us on this occasion (for a short time, or the whole event), September 23rd – the full moon, Autumn Equinox – to help us celebrate our vision for our community and to, more importantly, take an active part in contributing your spirit and desires to the space!
Each attendee will be invited to help dig the foundation (bring a shovel!) and share, in writing, their intentions, their dreams of what they would like a women’s holistic health center to be for them and the hopes they have for the Green & Main Project’s impact on local communities and the world. All the writings will be placed within the earth, under a special tree on axis with the building, to amend with the soil and become a permanent part of the greater vision that all those involved in this project – the many companies and individuals – hold dear to their hearts.
When asked how I do what I do, I have always responded that it is the women who carry me. Without you, without our community, we could not be where we are today.
We look forward to seeing you at the groundbreaking on Thursday, September 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
– Cosette Boone is a midwife and owner of Willowsong Midwifery Care.
What a beautiful description of this important initiative! This is such a good testament for the planning and vision that has gone into Green & Main.