02/10/2026
I have waited too long to thank a very important person in my life. She doesn't even know that she was part of a life changing step for me. Heidi Gowland was my supervisor when I started out as an agency in home care giver. She held my hand, listened to me whine, complain, cry when a client passed away and we were " forbidden" to attend their funeral. Sat while I raged about how unfair our system of healthcare is. Let me rant about the outrageous demands clients families put on us. The low pay, little to no benefits, high rate of injury. She celebrated with me as I passed each delegation. When clients teetered on the edge of addiction or other bad choices she helped me walk that fine line of concern while staying professional and not getting sucked into their drama. I learned so much. I called her multiple times a day, EVERY DAY for the first few months. She was always gracious and kind. Full of humor and compassion. When my mother had a major stroke, when my father had cancer a first and then a 2nd time. When he suffered a catastrophic fall ending up on hospice for the last few months of his life. Her steadfast support meant the world to me. It wasn't that we talked that much, or saw each other a ton. It was knowing that each time I did reach out she answered. EVERY SINGLE TIME. So when I took that step to open Lilac City with my daughter Adreanna I knew I had Heidi right there beside me. So THANK YOU! Your friendship made me brave. There are others from work I should mention too. Nancy Langan, Janet Pederson Loreen, Thank you all ladies for helping me walk the path that led to my happiness and success!
