Weave the Web
Recording Family Legends for Generations to Come
When the father of Haden's friend, Jenny Sansouci, was diagnosed with stage four Pancreatic Cancer, Jenny began investigating a plethora of alternative treatments that would help extend his life. Her investigation led her to the study of mushrooms which she shared with Haden. Haden was fascinated, and he, too, began the study of Mycology. In his new home in Woodbury, CT, he started cultivating mushrooms. His first creation was Lion's Mane.
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On February 4, 2022, Ray Sansouci died. Haden sent Jenny his Lion's Mane mushroom with the following letter.
Haden's Mushroom Letter
Dearest Jenny,
This is the first mushroom I have ever grown.
I nurtured it from spawn, gave it support through it's mischievous mycelium adolescence and then, when it had finally reached adulthood, provided it with just enough love to fully express itself on its own terms. Isn't she beautiful?!
This mushroom would not be if not for you, and by extension your father.
Like fungi, throughout our lives we weave sprawling webs that interact with other people in ways we’re rarely aware of. At some point one of your father’s wandering hyphae crossed the path of a silly guy in Woodbury CT, who he didn’t even know, and inspired him to grow this beautiful mushroom which he now has the honor of presenting to his amazing daughter. How cool is that!
The fruiting phase of life is incredible and each moment of it should be cherished. But the real magic lies in the unseen webs we weave beneath the surface that continue to impact lives and inspire new growth long after we’re gone. I am immensely grateful that your father’s web made contact with mine and I will forever cherish the gift he shared with me.
One day a wandering hyphae from the periphery of my own web will cross paths with a boy or girl and inspire them to continue nurturing the gift I was given. Like a child launching a balloon to the skies, I’m filled with awe and joy just thinking about how far it will go! I hope this thought makes you smile as well.
Love
Haden
