Honeybee Beauty- Melissa Farnsworth

What a Happy Birthday Month! 🥳

Every part was so so good! From girlfriend dates, to spending Valentines Day in basement with my favorite, to cookies from my Colombian daughter, to fabulous funny and sweet birthday cards, to getting to spend the day with a childhood idol, to not one but 2 birthday sing along songs! I feel so loved! Thank you all for all the precious birthday wishes!!!😘❤️🌈🥳

Being here by myself is a rarity. Marigold feels very much like a living, breathing thing, there’s always someone flitting about. But today I’m here alone, taking down the Christmas décor, and this picture caught my eye.

My eldest daughter wrote those words all the way back in 2018. I have gained so much in these last eight years, and I have also lost so much, not in the way you might traditionally think, but also… kind of. I’ve lost relationships. I’ve lost limiting beliefs. I’d like to think I’ve lost my ego. And I’ve lost the luxury of having enough energy to be upset by things that don’t truly matter.

This business began the same year I turned 40, which is dramady-worthy in and of itself: “Woman begins a business she never dreamed of starting at the same time she enters perimenopause, while trying to raise three brilliant daughters and maintain a healthy marriage with her high school sweetheart.”

I’m laughing through tears at this point. And as hard as some of the lessons have been, and boy, have they been heartbreaking at times, I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade a thing. I can’t wait to see what’s next. The fire I had in me in 2018 is still burning, and I still pinch myself that I get to work in this land of wild, wonderful, creative women.

Cheers to 2026 and the innate power of being a woman. ✨

SHE’S READY!!!🥳

And somehow, all the words that usually flow so freely feel a little stuck today, mostly because I’m just plain tired. But even in the exhaustion, I can’t let this moment pass without saying how grateful I am for the few key people who made turning over a kitchen to new ownership in a single weekend possible. It’s honestly crazy. 🤓 The months of meeting with Head Chef Nick made me feel prepared and hopeful, but the actual turnover? A doozy. 🤪

First, Nick, without your talent, hard work and dedication this just would have never happened. Full stop. Thank you! 🙏

For my sassy Cassie, your work ethic rivals your father’s and my dream is to one day never ask you to make a chalkboard pretty ever again. 👩‍🏫

To Katie Bear and Lucy Mae, you came through and did the things that were beyond me technologically and also gave me sound mental health advice in the midst of it all.😉

Alicia, my dear friend and decorating guru with the energy of 1000 elves, thank you! Who else is gonna FaceTime me as I make crucial design decisions and pick out decor at Target and then meet me back at Marigold to help me display them beautifully?🤷‍♀️

And, last, but first in my heart, my loving man, thank you for the way you show your love to me in all your acts of service by fixing what needs fixed and building what needs built, with a humble heart. 💪

I love all of you and I’m grateful for you and I could not have pulled off this whirlwind weekend without you!🥰

🌟Fun fact: my husband built this gorgeous wainscoting wall for our booth! Woodworking is his trade, and if you need custom work or a quote for a project, you can call him at (330) 819-4524 for a bid.

The Birthing Skirt

Do you have one? I didn’t plan on it. My most enchanted aunt gifted it to me early in our marriage and I had been saving it for a divine occasion and it just felt right for our first home birth (Katie Bear) and then, when it was time for home birth number 2 (Lucy Mae), under a full moon, none the less, how could I not wear my trusty birthing skirt?!🤷‍♀️

And then I folded her neatly and put her on a shelf in my closet until… Last night. 17 years later. ⏰

We were having a dinner party we named Gypsy Blue.🔮A very special gathering where my oldest daughter would ask two of my best friends, along their best daughters, to be her “Blue Crew.” Giving them the assignment of being her “something blue” by dressing in their favorite shade of it and being just as close to her on her wedding day as they are to her in daily life.💙

As I pulled out that birthing skirt, as well as the pictures of me in it just after the previous mentioned home births… Side bar. I was mindful to pin the pictures to the fridge to present them to the blue crew but I will not be sharing post home birth Melissa with social media. As I was saying, the skirt came out of the closet and along with it the reality and the beauty and the symbolism too. 🥹 (Continued in comments.)

4 YEARS AGO TODAY….

Marigold reached its milestone of becoming a full wellness center. Just a bunch of wild, brilliant, talented, thoughtful women doing what they were created to do while growing together! Cheers to 4 years!🥳❤️🌈💛

Can I tell you about my friend who recently went to be with Jesus?
Her name is Norma and I want all my people to know about her.💛
I met Norma in my early 30s and, since then, I’ve had the delight of being mentored by Norma. Of the many wonderful things I think of when I think of her, one stands out most: I had the privilege of knowing a living, breathing, walking, talking example of a woman who took God at His word and lived like she believed every single word in her Bible was true. Having Norma in my life is audacious evidence of God’s love for little me.
A couple of months before she passed, we went to breakfast together, and I soaked up every moment. I asked her how she did it—how she remained so humble and kind to so many people, faithfully serving at the same church for years, without growing frustrated or annoyed with those who had far less life experience. Her reply was simple and tender, words I’ll always treasure: “I remember the grace I have been given.”
That day, she also told me she was ready to meet Jesus. With tears in my eyes, I said, “Norma, I understand what you’re saying. But for those of us who love you, you’re our little piece of heaven on earth. We’re not as ready as you are.” She placed her hand on mine, comforting me as only she could, and said, “That’s okay, dear.” My tears didn’t fluster her one bit.
At her beautiful memorial this past week, our pastor shared how her family members all felt like they were her “favorite.” When the floor opened for others to share stories about her, I couldn’t help but think that we all felt like her favorites. I have no idea how she fit us all into her schedule.
If I had to sum up Norma in one word (practically impossible), it would be Faithful. She was faithful to pray, faithful to call, faithful to write notes and send them, faithful to serve, faithful to make plans and follow through. Faithful. My life, my marriage, and my family are better because Norma repeatedly chose to be a vessel for the love of Jesus.
Norma was love because God is love, and He was always her first love.
Thank you, Norma, for being my friend. I will forever be grateful. ♥️

NORMA

Normalizing
Obstacles and
Rejoicing in the
Monotony
Always

WHAT A NORMA IS AND WHY EVERYONE NEEDS ONE
First the obvious. A Norma is older than you. The more generations between you the better. A Norma has style. She always presents herself in the most flattering colors and fabrics, with special attention to accessories. A Norma has class. She shines her best where others might be intimidated. Awkward situations are her playground and she knows how to make EVERYONE feel at ease. A Norma has a voice as sweet and soothing as honey to a sore throat and her words are the same to your soul. A Norma uses every ounce of her life as her testimony and does not believe in luck or coincidence She can clearly see God’s hand in all of it. A Norma is not afraid of long obedience in the same direction. She is loyal. She is focused. And the long haul does not scare her. Lastly, and my personal favorite, a Norma has contagious faith. If she has believed her Jesus for all these things in all these years, who are you not to do the same. Find yourself a Norma TODAY and cherish her for the treasure she is.♥️

I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE! Thank you darlings dears for making my dream come true!♥️♥️♥️

YOU GUYS!!!! I AM SOOO PROUD!!! 🥳

It has been a long labor of love coupled with stupendous talent and hard work by & to birth this website! The challenge was to make a website look like Marigold feels and they did it! THEY. DID. IT.💛💛💛

See for yourself!😍

www.marigoldsharon.com

A big sloppy hug and kiss to my Marigold Family!!!😘
These 3 sweet faces represent the dozens of other sweet faces that donated their talent, time and resources, some for the 3rd year in a row, to our Shepard’s Well Day. Shepherd’s Well Day is a day we shut down Marigold and dedicate the day to taking care of very deserving Mom’s of special needs kiddos.
It is never lost on me that our service providers give up a day’s wage, as well as their products and time to love on these women. Their reward is in the gift of giving and, for that, they have my heart. They don’t have to say yes to this but they do every year and I am in awe of their selfless service. At the heart of Marigold, our wish is to take care of those that take care of others. Marigold Family, mission accomplished.♥️♥️♥️

When is the last time you cleaned your plate and felt nourished? Like seriously? Your plate was clean and you didn’t feel bloated and you didn’t regret it and every single bite you put into your mouth was not only delicious but fed your body and your soul? That is the feeling you get when you eat at . And that is all I have to say about that.😋♥️💛