It started at what was then called the Type A Mom (now Type A Parent) blogging conference in Asheville, North Carolina in September 2010.
I had been brainstorming a way I could uniquely (a) break the ice with people, (b) help them remember me, and (c) give a small “something lovely” that hopefully the recipients would enjoy.
I decided to buy several pewter “Tree of Life” pendants, put a jump ring on them, and give them out.

I did the same thing for the Type A Parent conference in 2011, and randomly – on a much smaller scale – at various other conferences and meet ups.
I estimate that I’ve given as many as 75-80 of these pendants to women across the country over the past year.
And something very interesting has begun to take shape.
I’ve seen and heard from many who wear their pendant regularly. Or keep it somewhere they see often.
I myself wear my pendant on a sterling silver chain almost every day.
And when I do, I begin to think about the other women who have this same exact pendant, and I feel an incredible connection to them.
It’s like the meaning behind my blog has come to life.
To recognize and celebrate this amazing phenomenon, I am launching the Many Branches, One Tree project (#mbotree on Twitter).

In a regular series (beginning in earnest in 2012), I will spotlight women with this pendant, share a little bit about each of them, their blog or website (if applicable), and hopefully create an atmosphere in which we can connect, engage, and inspire, just by being ourselves.
If you wish to participate (and I hope you do!), please do one of the following:
Please note: I will begin sending pendants mid January, 2012. US addresses only, please. Pendants are free. All information you provide will be kept private and will only be used for the purpose of sending you a pendant. Pendants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. I will make a note here if pendants are temporarily unavailable. I reserve the right to not send a pendant when requested. I make no guarantees on how quickly the pendant will be sent, though I will do my best in sending it as quickly as possible when they are in stock. Please only request a pendant if you plan on participating in this project. Having said that, I will not force or pressure you into participating if you change your mind. My hope is that you will make your request in good faith.
I hope you will join me in celebrating the many ways in which we are all connected by following and participating in the Many Branches, One Tree project!
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