OUR STORY

The wind sighs through the tall South Georgia pines, and as they sway, their resinous scent is a constant, comforting presence here at Mothers Love Homestead in Americus. It's a scent that carries sweet and sorrowful memories, a reminder of the love that built this place and the loss that shaped it. Dan and I, Mary, are the founders, and our story is woven with threads of grief and resilience, all rooted in the love of our mothers.

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In 2019, the earth shifted beneath us when we lost Dan's mother. She was a friend to everyone she met, her laugh contagious, and the love of her family endless. Her presence filled every room, every gathering. Her absence left a gaping hole, a silence that echoed through our lives. But in that silence, we felt her presence, a gentle nudge to create something, nurture something, and honor her legacy.

We started small, a few chickens scratching in the yard, a humble garden patch, and a burning desire to keep her memory alive. We made our first batch of goat soap in the kitchen, and the creamy lather was a tangible reminder of her gentle touch. With their playful antics, the goats brought a sense of grounding, a connection to the earth that felt healing and familiar. We learned to craft tallow lotion to share the warmth and comfort we had received. The chickens laid their eggs, the goats provided their milk, and the garden yielded its bounty, all nurtured with the same love that had shaped our lives.

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But in 2024, the earth shifted again. We lost Mary's mother, a beacon of unwavering love and fierce devotion to her family. The grief was a tidal wave, threatening to pull us under. Yet, even as the tears fell, we saw her strength reflected in the resilience of the homestead, in the way the goats nuzzled our hands, in the way the chickens pecked at the earth, in the way the sourdough rose, full of life, and in the steadfast way the pines stood watch over us. Then came the sourdough, a slow, deliberate process, mirroring the lessons she had taught us about patience and perseverance.

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Mothers Love Homestead is more than just a place; it's a sanctuary, a refuge under the sheltering pines. It’s where we gather with family and friends, where the next generation can learn to care for animals and grow vegetables, and where the scent of goat soap and sourdough mingles with laughter and shared stories.  Our faith in God is the bedrock of our resilience, the guiding light that illuminates our path through grief and loss. We see our homestead as a way to honor their memory, to spread the love and kindness they instilled in us, and to build a community founded on those same values, deep-rooted like the pines of South Georgia.

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Every bar of goat soap, jar of tallow lotion, loaf of sourdough, and freshly laid egg is a testament to the mothers who shaped our lives. This homestead, here in Americus, is a living memorial, where love blooms, even in the face of loss, where our mothers’ enduring spirits live on, as strong and steady as the pines and as warm and welcoming as their smiles.