photography credit: Jeremy Cowart
Dear Ones,
Welcome! I trust if you have connected with my website, that you are here with purpose and a story. Me, too! It’s a joy and an honor that you’ve decided to share a little time with me!
For each of us, we are writing a story - with our words and with our lives. What a gift that we can share these stories and journey through life together. I hope you find this place one where you gain helpful information and resource, a place where you are stretched or inspired, a place where you are moved to say, “me too!,” a place where you see the possible and are equipped to move towards it, but most of all, that this a place where you know you are fully welcomed and loved.
If you ask, “Who is Melinda Humbert?,” the answer you receive would depend on who you ask and when. Those who I hold most dear call me Melinda, wife, mom, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, and friend. Through various seasons, I have also had the honor of being called counselor, coach, family pastor, mentor, graduate student, seminary student, college student, and community volunteer.
As much as I appreciate the value of my specialized training and professional experience working alongside individuals and families, one of my greatest teachers and sources of pride has been to live alongside my family, neighbors, spiritual seekers, and community servants for the past 8 years. While my entrance into the space and season of service in my home and community, came unexpectedly, I now know how it has uniquely gifted and readied me for life’s next opportunities.
They say that one will find her calling at the intersection of her greatest gifting and her deepest pain - and my life’s experience has proven this, once again, true. As a former counselor, educator, and pastor, my skill with and passion for collaborating with people to live into their fullest lives is fierce. This was my gifting. Then, in 2008, fresh as a new wife and mom, with two babies under two and a half years old, we learned that our oldest daughter was born with a brain abnormality - Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum *PACC. I was in totally new, unknown territory. Having a baby daughter with an MRI, defined, black and white, uniquely designed brain, pierced my life.
The initial PACC prognosis of this diagnosis could have meant other complex health issues (including seizures), cognitive delay, motor problems, social impairments, mental health concerns, and just general unknown developmental impacts. I read these crystal ball, wanna-be words in those first days on the computer screens, as I mentally surveyed our possible life ahead. It was in those moments, I was greeted with my life’s deepest pain and uncertainty. In the eleven years since, I/we have lived through these words - as they did and did not impact our tender, yet spirited girl. It has been an experience and an education like no other.
My daughter’s diagnosis was my most intimate introduction into the imperfect-perfect of the human brain and the imperfect-perfect reality of love and human experience. It has led us through a journey of hand & foot, resource, head, and heart - one that has wholly changed me, us, and our lives. We have lived through questions, struggles, and griefs that words cannot fully express, and yet we have experienced the gifts of life in depths that could not have been previously imagined.
It’s from this place of my gifts, and my journey that I am gratified to offer my partnership with you and this website - to all who are seeking to become more informed about life through neuro-diversity, who seek to live more integrated and full lives, and who wish to join in the work of expanding the welcome to all from the margins to a seat at community’s table. I hope that this space, and the content that is offered, can come alongside you, living as a guide to you, as you walk your own, significantly unique journey.
Welcome to sharing it together!
With much love,
Melinda
Welcome! I trust if you have connected with my website, that you are here with purpose and a story. Me, too! It’s a joy and an honor that you’ve decided to share a little time with me!
For each of us, we are writing a story - with our words and with our lives. What a gift that we can share these stories and journey through life together. I hope you find this place one where you gain helpful information and resource, a place where you are stretched or inspired, a place where you are moved to say, “me too!,” a place where you see the possible and are equipped to move towards it, but most of all, that this a place where you know you are fully welcomed and loved.
If you ask, “Who is Melinda Humbert?,” the answer you receive would depend on who you ask and when. Those who I hold most dear call me Melinda, wife, mom, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, and friend. Through various seasons, I have also had the honor of being called counselor, coach, family pastor, mentor, graduate student, seminary student, college student, and community volunteer.
As much as I appreciate the value of my specialized training and professional experience working alongside individuals and families, one of my greatest teachers and sources of pride has been to live alongside my family, neighbors, spiritual seekers, and community servants for the past 8 years. While my entrance into the space and season of service in my home and community, came unexpectedly, I now know how it has uniquely gifted and readied me for life’s next opportunities.
They say that one will find her calling at the intersection of her greatest gifting and her deepest pain - and my life’s experience has proven this, once again, true. As a former counselor, educator, and pastor, my skill with and passion for collaborating with people to live into their fullest lives is fierce. This was my gifting. Then, in 2008, fresh as a new wife and mom, with two babies under two and a half years old, we learned that our oldest daughter was born with a brain abnormality - Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum *PACC. I was in totally new, unknown territory. Having a baby daughter with an MRI, defined, black and white, uniquely designed brain, pierced my life.
The initial PACC prognosis of this diagnosis could have meant other complex health issues (including seizures), cognitive delay, motor problems, social impairments, mental health concerns, and just general unknown developmental impacts. I read these crystal ball, wanna-be words in those first days on the computer screens, as I mentally surveyed our possible life ahead. It was in those moments, I was greeted with my life’s deepest pain and uncertainty. In the eleven years since, I/we have lived through these words - as they did and did not impact our tender, yet spirited girl. It has been an experience and an education like no other.
My daughter’s diagnosis was my most intimate introduction into the imperfect-perfect of the human brain and the imperfect-perfect reality of love and human experience. It has led us through a journey of hand & foot, resource, head, and heart - one that has wholly changed me, us, and our lives. We have lived through questions, struggles, and griefs that words cannot fully express, and yet we have experienced the gifts of life in depths that could not have been previously imagined.
It’s from this place of my gifts, and my journey that I am gratified to offer my partnership with you and this website - to all who are seeking to become more informed about life through neuro-diversity, who seek to live more integrated and full lives, and who wish to join in the work of expanding the welcome to all from the margins to a seat at community’s table. I hope that this space, and the content that is offered, can come alongside you, living as a guide to you, as you walk your own, significantly unique journey.
Welcome to sharing it together!
With much love,
Melinda
****Professional Services Disclaimer: This website exists solely as the personal experience and opinions of Melinda Humbert. Reading and/or interacting with content on this website is not to be considered any form of mental health counseling. If you believe that you or one you care about has needs requiring professional help, seek professional care from a doctor or therapist local to your area. If you or someone you care about is in danger, call 911 emergency services immediately. suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ for suicide prevention support or www.211.org/ for a range of resources and support services in your area****
**All content on www.melindahumbert.com is considered property of Melinda M Humbert, unless otherwise noted. Material is free to share, when credit is given, unless otherwise expressed.**
**All content on www.melindahumbert.com is considered property of Melinda M Humbert, unless otherwise noted. Material is free to share, when credit is given, unless otherwise expressed.**
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