Museum of the Month and My Birthday
I think visiting museums to celebrate my birthday might officially be a thing for me now.
I turned 34 last Saturday, and we celebrated by visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum in Cape Cod.
This birthday feels different. I can’t stop thinking about my mother when she was 34. At that time, I was 14, and she had recently been diagnosed with advanced-stage uterine cancer. My mother didn’t tell me or my sister how serious it was back then. She was a single mom raising two girls on her own, dedicating her best years to us.
She was always there—present and intentional. Most of her income came from selling handmade goods. My mom was incredibly creative. She could make art from just about anything—sewing, painting, knitting, sculpting from cardboard. Her talent still amazes me to this day.
I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for her. She always believed in me, saw my potential, and pushed me forward my whole life.
Now that I’m 34, thinking about where my mom was at this age hits me in a way I didn’t expect. It makes me appreciate her even more deeply. It’s one of those moments when you realize that your parents were just people doing their best with the challenges life threw at them.
Seven years ago, I gave birth to my daughter, Jullia. She stayed with me for only three days before I had to say goodbye. Losing her was the most painful experience of my life, but it was also the most transformative. That experience shaped who I am today.
Jullia changed how I see women, how I see mothers, and how I see my mother. I will forever be thankful for what she taught me in her short time with me. My loss gave me a new perspective on life and prepared me for the work I do now.
That’s why my business is more than just fashion. Fashion is the surface. What I really do is work with people—helping them connect with themselves and show up authentically.
Back to last Saturday.
Visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum felt especially meaningful this year. Cape Cod has so much history, and it’s where my husband’s family is from. I was excited to learn more about the area through the museum.
The museum is filled with beautiful glass art, and the experience was unforgettable. We watched a short film about the history of glassmaking and even saw an artist create pieces live right in front of us. It was mesmerizing.
I highly recommend visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum if you're ever in Cape Cod. It’s a wonderful place to connect with art, history and a bit of magic.
As if visiting the museum wasn’t special enough, my dear husband Brendon planned another surprise for my birthday—a flight in a small plane so we could see Cape Cod from above!
Brendon and I love new experiences. We’re both naturally curious and enjoy learning together, so flying over Cape Cod was an unforgettable adventure. Seeing the coastline from that perspective felt surreal—a beautiful reminder of how much there is to explore and appreciate.
Visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum also marked the completion of my 2024 New Year’s resolution: to visit one museum every month for a whole year. I started this journey last December, and here I am, exactly one year later, closing it out with such a meaningful visit. I did it!
This resolution brought me so much joy, inspiration, and connection throughout the year. If you’re curious about the other museums I visited, check out my previous blog posts. Here’s to making memories, learning new things, and celebrating life in all its forms!
Ana Harris
Personal Stylist - Color Analysis
• Greater Boston Area, Massachusetts
• Providence, Rhode Island
