Publishing Credits

Let’s dig in the dark earth together,

Feel the richness of the soil between our fingers

and know that we are truly blessed.

Let’s plant seeds of expectation that delicious

things happen when we work together,

that the future will be full and healthy,

that we have all we need right here to nourish our

bodies and our communities. 

Let’s never stop growing,

ever learning and knowing,

pruning, weeding, watering and tending those 

hopeful seeds,

pride in our eyes as we witness the green glory

sprouting from the darkness. 

When the strong stems hang heavy and bright,

green leaves hint at treasures hidden below the surface,

we gather together to harvest a rainbow reflecting 

the diverse nature of us.

Let’s cook up favorite recipes from our cultures and 

family traditions that invite us to share 

something of ourselves in a way that sustains us.

Share this practice of growing and eating together

for the health and goodness of earth and humans,

to grow the next generation of green hearts 

from a garden of love.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

 "Welcome home."

Words that change lives,

after a house is built from the ground-up,

fixed-up,

preserved for another generation.

The moment you turn the key and a house becomes a home,

when it's yours, where your body and soul find rest,

where your clothes hang in the closet and photos of your ancestors hang on the wall, smiling in pride at you in this place all your own.

A hand-up, a next-level joy and hope,

a home base to step out from with courage and chase that dream.

You belong here,

the walls whisper to its new inhabitants.

You are worthy and loved, the floorboards moan.

You are deserving of this gift, the rain sings on the rooftop, a gentle lullaby to sleep on that first night the body settles in.

You are safe here, the door clicks shut, jingle of keys tossed on the counter.

Soft hearts and hard hats roll up sleeves and

construct, rehabilitate, preserve.

Tragedy changed the trajectory from destruction to ReStoration.

Building more than houses -

building esteem,

building community,

building faith,

building hope,

building a future

for Humanity.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

 Home away from home,

when the news is hard to give, and receive, and the road ahead is long.

When tiny feet take courageous steps into operating rooms and radiology labs,

little arms bearing the brunt of pokes and prods, angelic faces smiling in wonder at the moment the man in the white coat takes their favorite teddy bear's temperature or a funny lady with a red nose shows up at the door,

offering a story.

When home feels like a distant memory, and you'd give anything to tuck your baby into their warm bed knowing they are safe in their body.

When this heart wrenching path not only saps your strength and joy but it drains your bank account dry and you feel you're losing it all,

except for your baby's sweet smile, and

hope found in their two beaming eyes that belong to a powerhouse of strength, 

enough for you both.

Home away from home,

where brother and sister play and pretend this day is ordinary.

Where bikes and sidewalk chalk and Gardy the dog offer medicine that heals more than cells,

and a hot meal served by a smiling face reminds you that you matter too, as you spend your days bedside and nights in prayer.

Home away from home,

where you are safe, together,

and you don't have to go through this alone.

There is family here, doors and hearts open.

Home, for now, for healing.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

Inhale rose blossom notes,

stress melts with the exhale,

step-by-steady-step through

tree-lined paths in the park.

Moss drips delicate like lace,

green waxy leaves litter the way,

magnolia blooms ready to burst open with

grace and charm in the safety of the park.

Love walks beside, hand reaching,

folding, holding, words fall quiet in

the stillness of the trees, the grass, the pond.

Connection grows with the garden.

Little feet patter behind,

stopping, rubbing leaves between the fingers,

smelling petals and stomping in the dirt.

The natural world captures his thirsty heart.

These places where we walk,

where all is green and lush and growing,

gift us quality of life and health and this

community we call home.

They do not grow alone,

there are angels in day's shadows,

who nurture from the heart and hands,

watering, weeding, pruning, planting -

Fingerprints linger on the leaves,

angels' love wafts through the breeze

touching hearts who

walk in the park.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

 Black oil casts shadows on glittering blue,

Paints pain on brown feathers and loggerhead shells,

Drilling pollution for our lungs - this shouldn't be.

Greenhouse gas emissions raise waters,

Shifting sands slowly disappearing land where we walk and live and love,

Greedy hands pulling coastal treasures under - this shouldn't be.

Satisfy consumption for the price of a plastic bag,

Strangle or poison marine life, lost, particles piling up in human bodies,

Slow accumulation of destruction - this shouldn't be.

Life depends on tiny buzzing bodies, food, beauty, oxygen source, 

the sweet, sticky interconnectedness of things,

Careless aerial spray steals one in three bites of sustenance - this shouldn't be.

Oaks older than any pulsing heart, forests of pine and cypress dense,

Marsh lands teeming with oyster beds, where feathers land and fins fly.

When development threatens rural heritage and natural wonders - this shouldn't be.

Energy renewable, food sustainable,

Waste recyclable, climate change reversible,

Carolina's irreplaceable.

Conservation is achievable.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

Happy Days, 

when camp gives cancer a break and childhood a chance.

When adventures are had outdoors, instead of down hospital halls, 

and laughter flows freely from strong hearts and bodies full of fight.

Happy Days, 

with sun's hopeful rays on shining faces, 

and new friendships forged with other kids who know.

Where medicine comes in lakes and laughter, 

and fresh breezes blow fears away.

Happy Days, 

when together is the place to be and care holds space until there's a cure.

When life feels nothing but normal, 

rocks are made for climbing, paint for splattering 

and family for finding in this supportive embrace.

Happy Days are ahead, and here for you in the meantime.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

A backpack -

Filled with clothes and shoes,

A book to read,

A stuffed animal to hug

When arms are aching for safe, warm love.

Home is not what it should be.

These little things mean a lot to me.

A little heart -

Hurt and let down,

Abandoned and abused,

Desperate to be cherished,

Before my childhood is finished.

To know myself, worthy, and adults, caring,

To find healing and strength to live daring.

A closet of clothes -

For the teacher who knows,

For the children who need,

For the dignity of little humans,

Whose grown-ups are hurting and unable to hold on.

When school is home away from home,

And I know, there, I am seen and understood.

A day to be happy -

With my for-now family and

Friends whose stories sound like mine,

When all that's left is laughter,

And a child is a child in the moments that come after.

When young lives begin with loss, 

These little things add up to a big expression of love.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

When you turn your body towards me

I can almost hear my name

Though you've never said the words,

I know it just the same.

As you're gazing toward the floor

I search to meet your eyes,

Times you look at me and smile are

Moments of sweet surprise.

You move through the world your way,

I want to see from your point of view,

Know your heart the way I wish,

Embrace the mystery of you.

Your interests, intensely focused,

Routines, your safe haven,

Not bound by social norms and rules,

We venture new roads, unpaven.

Emotions surge so deeply,

Sometimes my powerless love,

Stands by with open arms and heart,

And hopes that I'm enough.

Enough to be your safe place,

Where you can feel at home.

Enough to hold your big, bold heart,

So you'll never feel alone.

This, our place on the spectrum,

Has become the world to me.

So proud and grateful for you,

Sweet child, you're who you're meant to be.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

Something bad happened, and

It wasn't your fault.

This thing is not who you are, or

Who you are destined to be.

You are safe here, and

Your feelings are too - all of them;

The hurt, confusion, shame and anger.

Your hard questions are welcome here - all of them;

The ‘why did this happen to me,’ ‘what does it mean about them, about me, about the world…’

‘And am I worthy?’

Yes, dear child, you are the world's most precious treasure, and you are not alone.

I am here to listen and make sure your voice is heard.

Neutral, nonjudgmental ears ready to hear your story,

Once and for all.

This is the place for trauma to land so little hearts can begin to heal.

Where caring adults learn to be the megaphone through which children's voices echo, and

Whistles blow exposing injustice against children that cannot go on behind closed doors.

Prevent abuse.

Protect children.

Heal families.

So bad things don't have to happen anymore.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

Dry tongue pants, 

matted fur and scars around the neck 

where safety unleashed and 

cruelty yanked hard.

Thirsty for freedom -

Freedom from thirst,

Freedom from pain,

Freedom from fear,

Thirsty to know love.

Padded paws smooth leather, 

nails prick through muddy fuzz, 

nine lives spent quick 

in back alleys and roadside woods.

Hungry for freedom - 

Freedom from hunger,

Freedom from discomfort,

Freedom from homelessness,

Hungry to know love. 

Compassionate hearts pour out 

respect for all beings pulsing life, exhaling breath,

deserving of kindness. 

Leading thoughts of a world where animals and

humans coexist safely, lovingly, and

the meaning of freedom is belonging. 

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

May every child

Unwrap a smile, and

Know they are loved.

May every child

Tear open a glimmer of

Hope and belief.

May every child

Receive the gift of

Self-worth.

May every child

Hold the assurance that

They are thought of.

May every child

Feel seen and know that

They are the world's present.

May every child's

Dreams and wishes

Come wrapped in a bow.

May every grown up know,

It's more than a toy.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

Cobblestone streets with gas lamps aglow,

Palmetto trees and mossy oak shadows in the moonlight,

Where I walk in the slow, still night past rainbow rows of houses

Rich with history. 

Charleston, 

Where the wealthy still walk the halls of harbor-front mansions,

Casting their shadows in the darkened windows,

Locked until the next day’s tours.

Where crumbling graves rise above the Lowcountry soil,

In memory of the ones who departed this life,

Who lie asleep, in rest eternal.

Heavenly souls soar while restless spirits wander

Where beating hearts brush past with present.

Wear a path in the pavement where future footsteps may walk, and 

Wonder about the stories we write today.

Haunt the history books with stories of love and enlightenment,

Good deeds and authenticity,

Capturing the spirit of this living city. 

Heather Rose Artushin, 2022

A mutual affection 

for well-written words,

bound and borrowed,

devoured and discussed,

builds community.

Beyond the pages,

connections are made.

Learnings and wonderings,

awareness and empathy

leap off the black-and-white text.

Minds and hearts grow when

books are read and shared.

The youngest of us meet these stories

on the lap of love embodied.

No wonder a book feels like home.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2023

A tiny step,

an unlabored breath,

a single word -

hope.

A good day,

a new possibility,

against the odds sprouts

growth.

Determination's fire

burning in every child,

a little lift to

soar.

Answers, treatment,

equipment, support,

we open every

door.

Carolina's children

born with light and love,

overcome each challenge

thrown.

These little gifts

we give today

mean no family fights

alone.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2023

Wrap around the child,

where education meets prevention,

wellness fuels greatness and 

after-school and summer boost retention.

Build up our teachers who

pour into children that

transform a generation

with excellence and resilience.

Connect and craft community,

meet us where we stood,

take us outside these four walls to

see beyond the neighborhood.

Engaged, excited for the future, we

gather families home.

Health and hope for breaking barriers,

here we find ourselves whole.

Whole child,

Whole family,

Whole community - 

This is the promise.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2023

This is the place where life turns around, 

One80,

from streets to safe,

cold to comforted,

hungry to home. 

Leave your labels 

at the door, 

you won’t need them anymore.

Everyone here is 

human, 

where help comes 

from the heart.

More than a bandaid or 

cup of change,

we work for real solutions,

not just a roof but a place to

stay, 

to call your own.

We believe in transformation,

that things can turn around 

with a little love,

and a lot of hope,

and a measure of faith

in the value of each and every

person. 

A One80 is hard

alone, 

but with community? 

We can turn things around

together.

Heather Rose Artushin, 2023