Diamond Hill

The story of Diamond Hill coming into my life is a story of shared searching, persistence in pursuit of a dream. It only later became a place of healing, growth and wholeness for me.

As a young girl, my father had the dream of someday owning and living on a hobby farm in the area not far from where I grew up in Winona, Minnesota. While his work, family and running largely consumed him, he had this vision of a different life, a slower pace that included being closer to and caring for the land. I remember that he would regularly take me with him to check out whatever new property he found that looked good on paper and in pictures. We would reconnect in the car and tromp around outside in any season. This search went on for years until he found a dairy farm that would be closing as the farmer retired. By this time, I was away at college and dad was preparing to sell our family business. 

It wasn’t until my first visit, when I climbed Diamond Hill and saw the view, that I really understood that this was the one. It was Dad’s version of Moses overlooking the promised land. Mom and Dad did live on the property for a few years when they retired. Now this family farm, with one of the highest points in Trempealeau County in southwestern Wisconsin, is owned by me and my six siblings. 

The farm became a place of healing for me while processing the end of a 24 year marriage. Long hikes in any season, healthy food and lots of writing for myself helped me sort through the mess, pain and chaos and take back my story. I would go for weeks using breaks during the recesses from an academic career. I explored myself, learned so much from helpful resources and sometimes had close family and friends with me. While that was almost seven years ago, even this July, I went for a week to reground and regroup as I embark on crafting this stage of life for myself and those I love. (Another blog on this specific trip to come… definitely!) 

The view from the top of Diamond Hill stuns in any season as you will see from photos on my website. My father’s vision drove and inspired him for years - and he did not compromise in seeing it through. The vast horizon puts everything in perspective and also opens up possibilities for new ways of living and being. 

Let me support you in clarifying your vision for life and making it reality!

Marian