The Sitting with Trees study was the poetic culmination of four years of research while at Florida State University combined with three years of formative research during my time at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. Dr. Janet (69) and Mrs. Gloria (64) agreed to be research participants for this pilot study which doubled as a research retreat experience in Sarasota, Florida between September 11th and 13th. For two nights and three days, they were asked to remove the metaphorical cape associated with being the Strong Black woman to be spoiled for the pursuit of "research."

 

The research was the rest. The research was the walking as they took pictures in nature, generating visual narratives. The research was the social wellness. The research was interwoven throughout the entire experience from the actual invitation to their final creation of a love letter to self. Dr. Janet and Mrs. Gloria wrapped up the study with a final, one-on-one, semi-structured interview. They were asked follow-up questions about their experiences, lessons learned, and deeper revelations into their love letters to self. (This love letter dive will be assisted by research mentees, Gemini and Eryn). Research Intern Michelle Gunn asked questions that expanded and aligned our research with her own intergenerational project.