Wisdom Woven In: April Stearns on Storytelling and Healing

An Introduction to April Stearns

At LuxCare, we believe that clothing can embody more than just style; it can carry stories, insight, and the resilience of those who inspire us. Our "Wisdom Woven In" series highlights individuals whose insights and experiences are intricately linked to our designs, reflecting our commitment to thoughtful, empowering fashion.

In this inaugural feature, we are honored to present April Stearns, founder and editor-in-chief of Wildfire Magazine .  April's dedication to amplifying the voices of young individuals diagnosed with breast cancer has profoundly impacted many. Through her work, she has created a platform for storytelling and healing, embodying the essence of resilience and community. 

1. Tell us a little about yourself!

"April Stearns. Born, raised, and still living in the Santa Cruz area of California. I love living here because we have a lot of places to hike in the redwood forest and enjoy the outdoors, not to mention the beautiful ocean in our backyard! When I'm not hiking, I'm parenting, writing, and amplifying the voices of those diagnosed on the younger side with breast cancer via Wildfire Magazine and Writing Community."

2. What life experience shaped your perspective the most?

"I was most shaped by my relationships with my parents. Both have passed away now and I learned a lot from them in the way they lived as well as the way they died. My mom had Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and took her own life when I was 29 years old. Our relationship was very troubled my whole life and it was because of that relationship that I found journaling and writing. I needed a safe place to express myself and make sense of my childhood. My mom also taught me that unbearable weight of mental illness—the scars we can't see. My dad was the opposite of my mom: gentle, kind, and very giving. He had a successful career at IBM in Silicon Valley but his real passion was his after-hours and weekend job: for 31 years he served as the chief of the all-volunteer fire department in our area. He instilled in me a belief in community and service (not to mention a deep respect for fire). Unfortunately, he developed metastatic pancreatic cancer just 7 years after my mom died and passed away at 62. At the time, I was 37 and healing from my own cancer experience (breast)."

3. If you could share one message with someone going through a tough time, what would it be?

"First, there will be an 'after.' No matter what you are going through now, there will be a time when you are through it. Second, the most healing thing you can do in the aftermath is look for the lessons. This isn't to say bad things happen for a reason or that there are always silver linings. I simply mean that you can find agency and post-traumatic growth when you look for the places that you have transformed as a human being due to your experiences. No one or thing can take that wisdom from you."

4. What does resilience mean to you?

"To be honest, I've come to realize resilience is a snake in lipstick. While our society holds resilience up as a badge of honor or positive personality trait, resilience is something you only acquire after you are forced to live through something you shouldn't have had to endure in the first place. That said, I do appreciate that I can look back at all my difficult life experiences and recognize that 1) I have been shaped by them into the empathetic person that I'm proud to be today, and 2) my track record for living through awful things is 100%. In short, resilience means what doesn't kill you, makes you."

5. What brings you joy and keeps you grounded?

"My family overall, but my husband, Joe, specifically. I'm one of those few lucky ones to have found my life partner in high school: my husband has been by my side since he was 15 and I was 17. I often marvel at how fortunate I was to have somehow picked someone out as a teen who would support me through thick and thin. We are raising an incredible daughter together who we are both excited and sad to see fly off to college soon. But we know we'll be ok in the empty nest phase: we have tended to and cultivated our love with weekly date nights, a Book-Club-for-Two, and a shared passion for deep conversation, good food & Netflix binges."

6. Social media handles, website URL, anything else you want to share!

• Website: wildfirecommunity.org

• Instagram: @wildfire_bc_magazine and @i_heart_my_life

• Facebook: wildfirecommunity

• Podcast: The Burn with April Stearns

April's journey underscores the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of community in healing. Her work continues to inspire and support many, highlighting the strength found in shared experiences and the resilience of the human spirit.

At LuxCare, we are inspired by individuals like April, whose wisdom and experiences are woven into the fabric of our designs, reminding us that every thread tells a story.