Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges and blessings our way. For me, one of those unexpected moments came on a bright March day in 2022 while I was out mountain biking with friends. Little did I know that this day would mark an unshakeable heartache and beginning of a heartwarming connection to my sister-in-law, Michelle, with the unique legacy she left behind.
A bond beyond blood. Michelle, my sister-in-law, entered my life when she was just 12 years old, around the time when my husband and I met and got engaged. She was the only little sister I ever had. When my husband and I first got married I spent many days with Michelle while Mitchell was in technical training for the Air Force. Over the years, we shared countless moments—ups and downs, tears and laughter, fights and hugs. She grew up, started her own family, became a wonderful wife to my brother in law Andrew and became a loving mother to her children, Roy and Ruby.
On March 27th, 2022, our lives took a devastating turn. A phone call from my mother-in-law shattered the peace of our family. Michelle, at the tender age of 26, had passed away unexpectedly. Our family was left in shock and heartache. No one knew she was sick, no one expected her to leave so soon.
A Sourdough Connection
Amidst the grief, there was a small glimmer of hope. Before her passing, Michelle had started a sourdough starter—a symbol of her dreams of creating a homestead. We had shared a hope to one day homestead with our husbands, I remember the houses she’d send me and ask if it would be a good area. Recognizing the significance of this starter, I made it my mission to keep it alive.
For nearly two years, I adventured on a journey of discovery, teaching myself the art of sourdough baking. There were moments of doubt and setbacks, like when I mistakenly left the starter in the fridge, fearing I had killed it. But then, one day, I saw it bubbling and active, a testament to resilience—much like Michelle herself.
The food made from this starter feeds my family weekly and has been shared with many friends. Today, Michelle’s sourdough starter lives on, thriving in different parts of the country—New Mexico, Illinois, Missouri, Wyoming, Texas, and Colorado. It’s a symbol of her enduring legacy and a reminder that connections can transcend even life’s greatest challenges.
In the face of tragedy, we often find unexpected sources of strength and connection. Michelle’s sourdough starter has become a symbol of her lasting legacy, a small piece of her that continues to bring joy and warmth into our lives. As we nurture it, we honor her memory and the dreams she held close to her heart.
Raising Outsiders 