Title: Journey from Missouri to Vermont: A Mother’s Tale of Resilience and Transformation
By Micki Colbeck
In a poignant reflection on her life journey, naturalist and writer Micki Colbeck recalls her transformative years in southern Missouri, where she immersed herself in nature alongside her children. Amidst icy blue waters and rich oak-hickory forests, she fostered a love for the land, raising goats, chickens, and learning from neighbors who farmed the rugged terrain. However, a severe drought forced her to reconsider her path.
Colbeck’s memories are bittersweet, marked by the joys of rural life but marred by the limits imposed on women in that environment. Her experience during childbirth highlights the stark contrast between her values and conventional practices in the area, where she faced a lack of agency and understanding from medical staff.
The journey northward led her to Vermont, where she found acceptance and empowerment. The move was catalyzed by a chance encounter with a librarian at a contradance, signifying a fresh start in a state where women’s voices are valued. Now, as she embraces her role as a member of the Strafford Conservation Commission, she reflects on her past with gratitude while recognizing the political struggles still present in her home state of Missouri.
Colbeck is inspired by rural political organizer Jess Piper, whose efforts to rally communities against oppressive politics resonate with her own experiences. As she navigates this new chapter, she acknowledges the influences of her past, while celebrating the progress made towards women’s rights and empowerment in her current home.
Through her narrative, Colbeck illustrates the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of finding one’s voice.
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