I meet lots of people. Lots of friendly faces. Those who make me feel warm, make me laugh, or who make me feel connected to the world, but from the moment I met Gina Cloud, I felt home.
Maybe, on a subconscious level, I was yearning for comfort. The type of comfort you long for when you are 19 years old, living 3,000 miles away from family. I was a young girl hailing from Canada living in Santa Monica with a friend and a suitcase full of optimism. The opportunity arose for me to take on occasional work as a children's nanny, and Gina had arranged a meeting with me to ensure the proper fit for care of her then 9 year old daughter. If I close my eyes now, I can still remember how every one of my senses reacted to entering the front door of her Pacific Palisades home. I recall sounds of trickling water and soft ambient music. White linen couches, plush carpeting, tropical greens, and luxurious feminine textiles accented the entire space in brilliant magentas and gold. What I remember most about seeing her home for the first time was being excited that a Southern California native had a real wood burnin', spark jumpin' rustic fireplace. Like... a legit one. No flick-of-the-switch-gas-fireplace for this lady. I immediately felt a warm, fuzzy Canadian blanket wrapped around me. Then she spoke. The rest as they say is history.
Years have passed since I've had Gina in my life on a regular basis, and I can honestly say I've recounted her words and wisdom a million times over. Although our frequent three hour long distance telephone conversation-marathons have dwindled, I miss her every day. So, you can imagine how excited I am to celebrate in her successes and the recent release of her published book!
Gina is a respected speaker and author who devoted the last 20 years educating people on what she refers to as The Sacred Facts of Life. I genuinely encourage you to embrace Gina and her insightful perspective via her radio show, her book and her website. Gina I looove you.
Copies of Gina Cloud's book can be purchased here. Oh, and incase owning this empowering piece of literature isn't enough, 50% of the proceeds from each book sold goes to the Jacaranda Foundation.
How sorry I am for being so angry (afraid) when you went on your "foolish" trip to Cali. If you had not gone you would have missed the wonderful experiences you had and that I would be more sorry for! I was just being a "mom". Love you lots and I am definitly going to read this book!
ReplyDeleteYa know, I considered including the fact that I was in California against your protective motherly wishes, so it's funny that you should be the comment on here. I'm so glad that you're going to discover Gina. Love you back! xo
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful you did go out on a whim and ventured to Cali with me. It was an interesting few weeks and a learning experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. Gina is an incredible woman and I to draw inspiration from her and her teachings. It's so ironic today, because I hold you on that same pedestal. Your work, the way you write, your accomplishments personally and professionally are mind blowing and I am so proud of you and your determination. You and Gina both motivate me to be a better woman and I am thankful to have you in my life. I get lost in your pictures all the time, I can't stop looking at them in awe. Love you BFF.
ReplyDeleteAly xo