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There are few things today that sooth our minds and clear our thoughts to a tranquil state. I know now that two things are so pure, they bring instant clarity and peace, babies and flowers. Maybe it's because they are so much alike. You tend to their needs and reap the benefits of their beauty. When I was thinking about becoming a stay-at-home mom, I remember sitting in my herb garden with my infant daughter. My flowers and daughter had plans for me.

After work, I would pick up my daughter, rush home, put down her bag and my purse and head outside. I would lay my great grandmother's quilt down on the grass next to the garden and cradle my daughter in my lap. She would watch the butterflies, the birds, and the coy flowers peak their heads over the side of our small garden wall. I would sit and talk to her while thinking about how I was going to leave a good paycheck. If only I could be paid for tending flowers.

I am the family curandera, a healer in the Mexican culture. I began using my flowers and herbs to make a magical salve after my cousins had a diaper rash that would not go away. It became known as the Sana Sana Salve, named after the old Mexican dicho, saying, that is said while rubbing away a hurt. It begins "Sana Sana".

One day I had my daughter snuggled in her Maya wrap while I clipped our Calendula for my Sana Sana salve. I love infusing the olive oil with the fresh petals because it tints the finished salve a beautiful peachy blush. I clipped some of the Lavender for the oil too but first rubbed a petal on my daughter's cheeks. The spicy floral scent mingled beautifully with her sweet soft baby smell. I made the salve that night including a few extra jars for family and friends. It then came to me, why couldn't I sell my salve? I knew it wouldn't bring in the same amount as hefty counseling paycheck, but a little was better than none.

That night I wrote my resignation letter with a jar of the Sana Sana Salve sitting in front of me for inspiration and encouragement. I sold that salve for quite awhile until my daughter was older and I was able to move on to other forms of income. I will always be indebted to my beautiful garden for the strength it gave me to make a difficult decision. It was the most important and best choice I have ever made. Tonight I will make more salve, only now I have a little helper. My daughter is the one who clips the flowers for our salve and she stills rubs the Lavender on her little cheeks.

Learn more about this author, Vivian Nelson Melle.
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