A Note About the Future
Hi. As I write this, it's been a week or so since MoCo closed. As as I reflect on the closing, it still stings. It's been truly heartwarming to have the support from those of you who were there for me/us.
- To those of you who visited us before we closed, thank you.
- To those of you who came on our last day, thank you!
- To those of you who contributed to that special scrapbook, thank you!
- To those of you who have written sweet emails or posted sweet words on our Facebook page, thank you.
- And to those of you who have been part of the MoCo family over the last five years, thank you for being part of this special place. Some of you came in and told us you were pregnant before you even told your own parents! A few of you went into labor at MoCo. Many of you breastfed in public for the first time here. Some of your babies rolled over or took their first steps here. So many of you thanked us for all that you learned in our classes, workshops, groups or just from talking with us in the shop. You cried here. You laughed here. Some of you spent 5-10 hours a week here!
The closing of MoCo has been one of the most emotional and challenging things I've ever gone through and knowing that many of you have also cried and shared the emotional journey with me/us has been amazing.
I know the closing of Mothers & Company came as a surprise to most of you. While the actual reason for the closing was financial, our initial announcement of the closing was written as something as positive as it could be, I hope you all know it was NOT an easy decision. We had hoped that we could, after the closing, simply start a nonprofit entity and at least continue the prenatal/childbirth education classes as well as our new parent and breastfeeding support (we do have some prenatal/childbirth classes scheduled with the same, great instructors as always, click here). All of that would be back to just the basics that MoCo was founded for back at the start of 2007. Unfortunately, some unfortunate legal issues are getting in the way of creating a new organization but we hope that soon, with your help, that can happen in one way or another.
If you'd like to get involved (we need leaders, volunteers, people interested in coordinating playgroups and other events, fundraisers, people who can offer space (not in homes, though)...please email info@mothersandcompany.com if you're interested. I'll forward your email to those on the committee that is working to create the nonprofit.
A few of you noted on our last day that "We ARE MoCo". That is the truth. Please, keep connecting with other parents and parent-to-be in your area. Really, reach out to them! In this electronic age, we have to keep that personal connection and support each other in our communities. THAT's the essence of MoCo...
They say when one door closes, another opens. I truly hope that is true for all of you for whom MoCo was a safe haven. We hope we'll be in your life in the future...stay tuned.
Thanks and peace.
Jeanette Mesite Frem
Owner, Co-Founder, Childbirth Educator, Breastfeeding Counselor
Mothers & Company