Eleni Opperwall

Folks who know me know that Flora's Walk is an event that holds a very special place in my heart. I often reminisce about our first Flora's Walk, a few months after Flora's death, when we were just a few folks in the park trying to join our small powers together in the face of something very, very big. 2025 was the first year that I wasn't a Walk Leader for -- I passed the baton to Stephanie .nesting , Lara and Allie with full confidence that they would do a phenomenal job, and they did not disappoint 💖 (Even when the weather decidedly did not cooperate!)

Flora's Walk is a lot of things to a lot of people. It's a chance to talk openly about perinatal mental health. It's a fundraiser for free perinatal therapy and other services. It's a chance to meet others who have experienced the struggle first-hand. But for me, it also will always be a sign of hope.

Hope that even the deepest despair can be met with love and care.

Hope that compassion and light can be born of immense sorrow and darkness.

Hope that if we add our all our deep sorrows together, perhaps their sum is joy. 🩵💚