We find ourselves standing at a profound threshold in our lives—a transition into what some traditions call the sacred half of life. It is a time to turn inward, deepen our spiritual practice, and dedicate ourselves more fully to a life of devotion, simplicity, and service.

After years of raising children and sharing living space with others, we are preparing to make a small home on our own land in Colorado. This land will become the foundation for the next chapter of our journey: an extended period of deep contemplative practice, alongside the continued development of our nonprofit, which is devoted to supporting at-risk local and Indigenous youth through the healing power of equine therapy.

Together, Aaron and I are preparing to enter a three-year Buddhist retreat as a couple—a commitment to stillness, discipline, compassion, and the inner work that allows us to show up more wholeheartedly for the world. This is not a retreat from life, but a turning toward it in a deeper way. We hope that the fruits of this practice will nourish not only our own lives, but also the people and communities we are called to serve.

During the retreat, we will complete the final stages of development for our equine therapy nonprofit. We believe horses offer children who've suffered the effects of trauma a remarkable pathway toward connection, trust, emotional healing, and a renewed sense of possibility. We hope to create opportunities for young people to experience the safety, belonging, and gentle connection that can help them discover their own strength and resilience. We have secured partnerships with the Alamosa, CO Boys and Girls Club and with the Santee and Yankton Sioux tribes of Nebraska and South Dakota.

Before we move into this new phase, however, we need to make our land livable. We are seeking support to finish setting up the essential utilities and the basic infrastructure needed to create a stable, sustainable retreat space. We have purchased the land, all the outbuildings and supplies for the horses, paid the costs of and filed the 501c3 (non-profit), purchased two classroom yurts, and bought our solar set-up. We have also saved and secured funds for our well to be dug, but are still in need of funds for the electrical rough-in and solar install, propane setup, a new shelter and extra hay for the horses, website and outreach, and the costs of a septic system. Once completed, we can begin retreat and finish developing our programming.

We see these two paths—contemplative practice and compassionate service—as deeply intertwined. The inner work we undertake is inseparable from our wish to contribute to the healing of others. We hope to cultivate a life in which our daily practice, our relationship with the land, and our service to young people all grow from the same roots of care, presence, and compassion.

We know that a life devoted to these values is not built alone. Community, generosity, encouragement, and the many unseen acts of kindness make it possible and help a vision take root.

That is why we are reaching out. Giving financially, sharing our story, holding us in your thoughts, or simply offering words of encouragement means more than we can express.

We approach this transition with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility. We recognize the privilege of being able to dedicate ourselves to this path, and we hope to honor the support we receive by living our commitments as sincerely as we can. Thank you for helping us create the conditions for a life of deeper practice, a home rooted in intention, and a future in which more young people can experience the healing power of connection.

May this land become a place of refuge, this practice a source of compassion, and this work a small offering toward the healing of our wider human family. May the generosity shared here ripple outward to all beings.

With heartfelt gratitude and love,

Sarah, Aaron and our equine partners