Who was Honey?

A giver, in the truest sense of the word...

There are some people you just can’t help but want to celebrate. My mother, Honey Verschleisser, was one of those people. Her modesty and humility prevent me from excessive praise, but I must relate her intense faith in Hashem (G-d), love and appreciation of others when introducing Honey Birth Workshops which were established in her memory.

A giver, in the truest sense of the word, Mom was always seeking ways to help others, driving for Bikur Cholim even while she, herself, underwent chemo. She taught me that the real gift we’ve been given is the gift of having one another to lean on when things get hard. She showed me how to use my heart. How to love my family and others unconditionally and appreciate the constant gifts we are surrounded with.

I once heard Rabbi Eliyahu Shapiro speak about how everything in Yiddishkeit that depicts strength is on the right side, but the heart is not. This is because our heart is not there for us, it is for the person we are facing, to give them strength.

Mom had a fierceness within her, running beneath the brilliant smile that everyone remembers. When she knew something to be right, nothing would stop her from pursuing it. That strong spirit enabled her to become frum on her own at the young age of 12, despite being the only religious person in her community. That spirit shined through while she exclaimed to me “This is good! This is good!” through the worst of her treatments. Her faith in Hashem’s compassion unwavering

Mom was grateful for the world being the way it is, filled with people she cared about. She overflowed with youthful excitement when the subject under discussion was childbirth and babies. She was before her time in regards to her attitude about childbirth and all things baby related.

When it came to childbirth Mom was fearless. She depicted it as the most wonderful experience imaginable. When she came along on my births she radiated joy. Looking at her glowing face always got me through it.

The Honey Birth Workshops were established to share her joyful energy regarding childbirth education and support. Women should never feel that they are alone during this momentous and intense part of their lives. The workshops are a place to get your questions answered to help alleviate fear and uncertainty surrounding childbirth.