Love Heals. Who can argue with that motto? Thistle Farms is a social enterprise and growing community of women in Tennessee who have come out of trafficking and prostitution and are learning that love does, indeed, heal. The women are given a safe home and taught job skills through the expansive undertaking of running Thistle Farms and creating their products literally from the ground up. (Best. Chapsticks. Ever.) It's an organization that is easy to get behind because:
1.) Their mission makes the world a better place.
2.) Their products are all-natural and quality.
3.) My spouse actually admits* that he likes their chapsticks and candles better than the drugstore variety.
*To me. In private. Now indirectly on the internet.
I've been following them and buying their products for a few years now, and this year I have chosen Thistle Farms as the charity I am supporting in lieu of birthday presents. So...choose your own adventure.
If you were thinking of buying me a birthday present, go to Page 124.
If you were not thinking of buying me a birthday present, go to Page 27.
Page 124
You go to the Thistle Farms website. You're immediately taken with their clever lavender colored thistle motif. You become distracted by their products. If you decide to by a little something for yourself, go to page 34. If you decide to buy a little something for me, go to page 58. If you decide not to buy anything, go to page 72.
Page 27
You're kinda appalled that anyone would be so gauche as to practically beg for a birthday present, but this social enterprise concept intrigues you, so you decide to go to the Thistle Farms website anyway. You're immediately taken with their clever lavender colored thistle motif. You become distracted by their products. If you decide to by a little something for yourself, go to page 34. If you decide to buy a little something for me, go to page 58. If you decide not to buy anything, go to page 72.
Page 34
You buy a lemon verbena candle and a lip smoothie. Your package arrives in the mail. Soon, your lips grin and gleam. There is a gentle flicker in your living room and clean fragrance drifts around the corners. These scents were hand grown! you muse. Gratefully, you clean your kitchen and kiss your kid and drink an extra glass of water. It's been a good day.
Page 58
Whoo hoo! Score! Congratulations! You receive one hand-written thank you note and treasures in heaven.
Page 72
No curses are called upon your head. No dredged up debts are invoked. You live happily ever after until Christmas time when you are trying to figure out what the heck to get your Aunt Myrtle.
