We Already Have a Village

I stood by the counter yesterday evening eating supper solo. My children disappeared into the dark, heading up the the rancho with a flashlight. I ate peacefully and quietly, my husband also gone, playing cards with a couple local men, none of them speaking each others language yet relating over a game, laughter and practicing card tricks.

It hit me. We are here. We are already in the Village.

My children have been taking care of themselves as they’ve fallen into their own rhythm with this place. Yesterday I was a 3 hours meeting and I only saw them once.

They played in our tiny 1 bedroom casita. Their “rooms” each only a corner of the patio.

Barely any toys.
Minimal Legos and markers.
Some cardboard boxes made it into the equation today.

They wander around the property, I often don’t know where they are. Usually the hyper vigilant type, my body breathes deep and my mind stills.

They are safe to explore here. Up on the hill, we can see all points of entry, everyone up the driveway observed before they step foot. We can also see the property from the differing vantage points and rooms. The children are held.

The rancho a gathering place where they wander freely, engaging with the adults who call this place home.

The pool and jacuzzi another zone of play.

They create their own projects and are immersed in a life of their own choosing.

They roam freely and are regulated and happy, interacting with everyone. They made fresh orange juice and mixed it with sugar cane and then served it in the rancho first thing in the morning.

They have mini projects on the go everywhere. I’ve offered them no structure yet. No projects, no materials, no activities. A period of settling in a necessary next step for all of us. Allowing the way to unfold. Allowing the child to lead.

Arriving in Platanillo made no sense to the mind.

Decisions made became decisions changed yet this place had a Pull I couldn’t deny.

My body knew yet my mind needed time to catch up.

Eventually body and mind got on the same page and now I see.

I see how life here is. How it all led us to this property and to this Village already here. The village that is holding my family and allowing us to integrate.

The Village

There’s Miguel and Judith the caretakers who live onsite. Miguel’s started studying Spanish since we’ve moved on the property. Lately he taught me amigo and amiga (friend) and says it to me multiple times daily.

He’s so kind and happy.
Helpful and loving.
Living a simple humble life.

He enjoys his afternoon coffees and he’s started bringing me one everyday when he has his. We mostly sign language but he’s getting better and I told him I’ll learn Spanish one day.

Judith his wife is always in the rancho, cleaning, cooking, bubbly and kind, the kids love her and she’s like another motherly figure. She has a little chihuahua that follows her around and wants to play and cuddle the kids all day. Sometimes he just walks into our casita and stares at everyone with his grandpa looking eyes.

She likes her kitchen orderly. She gave me the rules after day 3 when Greg broke all of them. She spoke into her phone and google translating all her kitchen rules lol. The kids are going to make a sign that says Judith’s kitchen and write her rules in English and Spanish as a surprise for her.

Keverne will help with it. He’s another character in the story. Our wise on site artist and Greg’s new collaborator and guide. They are learning a lot from one another. Keverne is just the most positive happy person. He’s often just drawing in the rancho or chatting happily to someone.

Then there’s two women who have been here for 3 months now, praying for the land. Everyday they wake up and go do whatever they feel called to do, their rounds. At first I noticed one of their rounds was walking across to the neighbors property to do reiki on the stray cat. They spend a lot of time walking the land, connecting with it, seeing what is needed in and around them. Lately I’ve become part of their focus, their daily rounds. They check in, praying for and with me and sometimes will engage in healing work with me right in the rancho.

It’s just normal life.

An unexpected gift.
This village already here.

I didn’t know we needed to be held in this way. But we did and we are.

I imagine holding each family gently and ease fully just as we’ve been held.

We’d like to welcome one family at a time beginning in January.

If you feel the call and would like to co-create, send me a message. We have spaces for families to join us in our growing village in 2026.