Story of the name... "Autumn Hill Stories"
There are people and places that transcend the test of time. They hold value, meaning and truly change you for the better. We both believe written words are powerful and names are significant. When coming up with a name for our partnership, of works we have and will publish together, it was easy.
Without question Autumn and I knew what we wanted it to be called: Autumn Hill Stories.
My daughter, Autumn Skye was named after exactly that, the autumn sky. When her father, (Mark) and I, (Shara), were young and newly married. Most people our age were not married, yet. God had other plans for us. Mark and I discussed that clear, starry evening, as we looked over the horizon of blazing orange leaves about beginning our family. The stars and trees reflected on the water, still as glass, and we knew in our hearts God was calling us to raise a family. We are so glad we did.
At the time, we were very young and broke, but over the moon in love with one another. We did not own a home, we could barely afford our bills, and worked hard every day towards the dreams we had in our hearts. Soon after that autumn evening, we were blessed to find out we were expecting a child and soon after that we welcomed our sweet baby girl, Autumn Skye, into our lives.
We were blessed with family and their tremendous support as we began our lives together. Thank you to all our family and friends who loved and supported us through these years. Words cannot adequately express how much gratitude we hold in our hearts for you all.
Do you remember how I mentioned some places and people transcend the test of time? I am going to fill you in on one person in all our lives that did just that. The story of our family, growing from us 2 in love to becoming us 3 has a parallel story. It aligns with my husband's story of when he came into the world. When his parents had him, they honored their best friend, Mike, to be his Godfather. It was a task Mike did not take lightly and he poured his heart and soul into raising and caring for Mark as a child, into his teen years and all the way into adulthood.
When I married Mark, Mike was more than just his Godfather, he was his best friend. Mike was our favorite person to hang out with, and our always adventure buddy. From camping, canoeing, kayaking, biking, hiking and so much more, Mike was there for us and loved us unconditionally. There was a mutual respect we all had for one another, (as different as each of us were) together was our favorite place to be. Dreams were a topic of almost all conversations and we always talked and planned for what was on the horizon.
During our pregnancy, Mike invited and allowed Mark and I live in his "Spare Oom"of his home. We stayed there up until a couple weeks after our daughter arrived. We brought sweet little Autumn home to his humble abode, where he was able to experience all the newborn wonders right alongside us, which is an honor most grandparents do not even get to experience. We were all one big family, (Mark, Shara, Autumn, Mike... and even his cats). This inseparable unit that did not make sense to anyone but us.
Life moved along, and an opportunity for housing and work opened the door for Mark and I. Soon, the day came for the three us of us to move away. We did our best to stay close, by God's plans for us called us farther away than we ever imagined we would be called.
No matter how far away we moved, we always made sure to all come back together again and always pinned down times and plans for the next time we could all be together once again.
Years passed, and our sweet Autumn Skye grew like wild flowers: free and wild, like the wind in her bright blonde curls. We spent our time outdoors and adventuring and our absolute favorite memories were made together camping near the prairies, hiking the woods and lounging on the beach. With no phone, devices or electronics, simply our minds, books and imaginations to fill our days it became our favorite place to be and to all be together. Her imagination, grew and she inspired all of us to be the best versions of ourselves. She was this bright ray of sunshine in all our lives.
One special spring, we had made the trip home to our favorite places to camp on Mike's land. When Mark had been small, he and Mike had always planted trees together on the land together. Mike wanted to continue the tradition and had an idea. He had found a tree in the field that was shrouded from the sun. It needed to be relocated, as it needed sunshine, and Mike had a marvelous idea. The tree was the same height as our almost 3 year old Autumn. Mike and Autumn, (and our new addition of our puppy Rev) dug up the pine and made a long trek all across the land to find the perfect spot. (Which is no easy feet with a toddler toddling along)
After many steps, ups-and-downs and all-arounds... there it was! The most marvelous hill, with the perfect sunlight, where all could see Autumn's special tree. We dug the hole and planted that tender little tree in the soil alongside wild flowers.
Covering it's roots and patting it tight, we all signed with pride, establishing the new home and proclaimed this sacred spot as "Autumn Hill"
Many years have passed since we plated that tree and founded "Autumn Hill" and each and every year, (without fail) our family unit would make the journey, no matter how far, to be back together again. Upon the first day back together, before the sun would set, we would all make the walk of the wandering journey back and find the tree on Autumn Hill once again.
As soon as Autumn could talk, she began to tell us her stories and share her creativity with the world. We all knew and dreamed of the day where one day, she could share all her knowledge and light with the world, just like this tree a top the hill.
Us three and Mike, made countless journeys back to that hill to visit the pine, and chatted fireside of the plans we had ahead. In the most recent years, we had finally established a home next door to us. It was a place we could be our family-unit, together once more, among the pines. Unexpectedly, God called Mike home to be with Him before we ever were able to all live alongside each other again (at least on this side of Heaven).
We will never let the legacy of Mike fade away, and will forever honor him and treasure him in all our lives. Many are unable to comprehend the beauty of what we had, our special family unit. Mike, Mark, Shara, Autumn... his cats & then our dogs. His life spanned generations, just like a great pine tree, we will honor his memory and continue to share our stories and our memories to shine our light on the shrouded world.
-Autumn Hill Stories
