Bucket List — Climbing On Trees

November 13, 2018 at 8:56 AM

Location: Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA

Lunder Building

Travel more of the United States
Grand Canyon
National Parks in CA
Greece
Amsterdam
Lavender tattoos in London
Run a half marathon
Go through yoga teacher training
Go to a concert
Visit California
Ski out West
Publish journal

Scroll to the end to see how much of her bucket list I’ve completed

“Lavender Tattoos”

Janelle and I both share the same middle name Lavender, which is our mother’s maiden name. While Janelle was studying abroad, she got a Lavender tattoo in London as a reminder that our family “is always there for one another, on the good days and the bad days, no matter how far away.” I never thought that I would get a tattoo but after Janelle passed away, I told myself I would only get a tattoo if it was the same tattoo, in London, and done by the same tattoo artist… quite the criteria for a tattoo, especially when I don’t even live in London. However, 3 years after Janelle passed I then found myself in Portugal at the same time as Janelle’s tattoo artist and to me, this was a sign.

The photo on the left is a postcard that Janelle mailed me from Amsterdam. She talked about how she was so excited for me to visit Amsterdam and for us to spend my 19th birthday in Paris. She signed her letter “Love always, Janelle.” Her exact handwriting is now tattooed on my inner arm. 1. To remind me of the love we shared and 2. That the bond of two sisters is unbreakable. The ink even has her ashes in it.

Love always,

Holl

Vida Asana Yoga School, Costa Rica

Become a Yogi YTT Graduation

“Go Through Yoga Teacher Training”

Yoga shala where we would meditate and practice yoga

Not pictured - monkeys and the sound of heavy rain (Sept = rainy season)

200 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING:

Janelle and I loved to do yoga together. Our mom introduced it to us when we were both teenagers and it became one of our many shared passions. We both did gymnastics growing up so our flexibility and balance made for an easy transition into the practice… back then it was more about the physical asanas but as my practice has evolved, I have learned yoga is so much more than just the poses. Janelle and I would take yoga classes for teens and tweens at our mom’s yoga studio until Janelle got her license and we could finally drive ourselves to yoga. I remember Janelle correcting my form on her yoga mat next to mine and me getting so mad at her… let’s just say I quickly learned you’re not supposed to talk in a yoga class. Together we made a list of things she wanted to do once she got better. At the top of her list was to “go through yoga teacher training.” After Janelle passed away, I made it my goal to become a yoga instructor one day. In 2022, at the end of my nursing school burnout, I booked a one way flight to Costa Rica and completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training under the teachings of Jonah Kest. The ability to share her legacy through my yoga practice both directly and indirectly truly feels like the greatest honor.

My roommate Amalia and I traveling around Costa Rica after our training

Sunset in Tamarindo

Playa Hermosa in Jaco, Costa Rica

90 minute morning yoga practice

Friends from all different walks of life

Yoga Democracy Photoshoot

“Run a half marathon”

What was that??? I thought you said a full marathon

Raised $10,000 for Caring for a Cure… a charity so near and dear to my heart. Click below to learn more!

In 2019, my sister’s nurse Krista ran the Boston Marathon in Janelle’s memory. After my sister passed away, I made it my goal to one day become an oncology nurse at MGH, with the dream of one day running the Boston Marathon in support of Caring For a Cure. CFAC is an organization that supported my family through some of our darkest days. Five years later, I was able to raise money and give back to the organization that gave my family so much love and strength to carry one. Click the link below to see #TeamJanelle run the Boston Marathon.