Mud & Lotus Stories

Stories of real life, hope and growth.

Emily Zeiler Emily Zeiler

A Changed Landscape

“As a child, he visited tobacco fields in his hometown in Canada and learned that the farmers quit watering the tobacco rather early in the season. ‘Why?’ He asked…”

Read More
Emily Zeiler Emily Zeiler

The Harvest I Didn’t Expect

“There was a simpler time in these folks' lives but now was not it. Now there was a focus on food affordability, finding transportation to medical appointments…”

Read More
Emily Zeiler Emily Zeiler

The Long Middle

I always thought I knew the path ahead of me. I always had goals and I thought that ahead of goals was achievement. No one told me it’s not that simple…

Read More
Emily Zeiler Emily Zeiler

A Balloon for Her

My mother’s last Valentine’s Day I knew would be her last. I bought her a balloon in the shape of a heart. She was so happy about this balloon. Happier, in fact, than I thought the average person would be…

Read More
Emily Zeiler Emily Zeiler

Listening to My Body

In 2013/2014, I was nearing the end of my graduate program. had a paid job, an internship and attended classes weekly. I had long commutes for all of this. Suddenly, one day I was so dizzy I could hardly drive…

Read More