Healing Gardens

Photo taken at Dry Falls, WA

Attachments: Autobiography with photos.

My name is Michelle Leigh Bilhimer and I was born in Walla Walla, Washington on April 2, 1973. I have two older brothers. We moved from Walla Walla when I was a toddler to Spokane, Washington. Then in 1979 my family moved to Lacey, Washington. I have lived in the Olympia area ever since and do not have any plans of leaving. I want to keep my feet planted in the area I was raised and raise my family here as well. I have a wonderful partner, Dustin Bilhimer, and three beautiful children: Elexa (9), Calvin (6), and Jackson (6 months). We are a blended family.

My moms family is mainly Dutch who migrated from the Midwest (not sure of dates) to Washington. My dad’s side of the family is a mix of mainly Irish and a small portion Native American (Cherokee – I believe). My dad’s parents, my beloved grandparents, passed away right before I graduated from High School and they lived on the East side of the mountains making it difficult to visit with them in person very often. I know I have missed out on learning valuable family information from them.

My family didn’t really discuss our heritage or ethnic backgrounds very often. Because of our lack of connection over generations we have lost our roots. There are so many that I’m not sure which one to choose. My dad has told me that I love the land so much because of my native roots but that is as far as the conversation would go most of the time.

My academic career has been long and bittersweet. I struggle to find a balance between family, school, and work but the knowledge that I am gaining will be something I can share with my children in an age where information seems to come at a high cost.

I began my educational journey after High School, quit, and then returned when my daughter was four – she is now nine, almost ten. I attended St. Martin’s University/College for most of my academic career working on a Biology Degree in pre-medicine. It wasn’t the type of medicine that I was interested in – although it does have some amazing technologies it is not the only way medicine can be viewed. During this time I became very ill and doctors couldn’t give me any answers so I started exploring alternatives. This led to more questions that I wanted to explore so I left St. Martin’s and started attending The Evergreen State College in the Fall of 2005. I feel at home.

My professional goals include developing my skills as a Doula to help laboring mothers make the most of their birth experience. I am also a practitioner of High Touch Jin Shin Jyutsu, an energy healing technique that is similar in energy flow patterns to that of acupuncture. My illness was a journey that I felt was a spiritual journey to the inner parts of my being – both mental and physical. Through that experience I have been introduced to natural plant medicines, energy healing, and other great modalities that are largely ignored in mainstream American culture. I have also met a wealth of intelligent and compassionate people. I would like to expand my Jin Shin practice at some point in the future.

I am also a mother, which should be mentioned for it is an invaluable position to hold – it is my full-time job to take care of my children’s physical, emotional, and mental needs. On June 22, 2007 I gave birth to my son Jackson. He was born at home and I was thrilled. It was a calm, quiet, warm, dark, and friendly birth that was handled with care and compassion by women so strong in their abilities. It was truly an amazing experience – I have never in any moment felt so strong and powerful. I remember saying out loud “I CAN DO THIS” and I did. I felt reborn – a new woman with a new purpose. That purpose is to understand the natural system because as I found out in the birthing process it is supreme in its complexities. Everything has a purpose – even the pain of child birth. At no time did I feel injured. It was a very empowering and spiritual experience. These photos represent the joy and pain of birth – quiet waiting and immense strength. The whole family was involved.

Among other ambitions, my husband and I would like to start a healing garden and farm in the next ten years – starting small and creating a spiritual place to gather food, herbs, flowers, or just come for some peace and quiet. It would also include my Jin Shin practice.

This class will give me great ideas and knowledge of the different aspects of gardening that I have not been introduced to before. If we do buy land in the future I want to be a good caretaker and this course will help me achieve that goal. I also am taking this course because I am my children’s first teacher and I would like to pass on this type of knowledge to them as they grow so that it is a permanent part of their little beings. Also, many of the activities that are done in this class, like journaling, can be done with my children and partner (and the dog too if we want). It will help facilitate our need to be close with nature.