Minnehaha Creation

07/07/2024

she walked herself
into the darkness
and thought she was
a l o n e.
but when
the light
danced through trees
it whispered,
“welcome
h o m e”.
- m i n n e h a h a m u s e

27/06/2024

detached
from the outcome
s h e
emerged
from the
cocoon
to spread
her wings
- for girls born to fly

🦋

Please consider helping raise money for ’s Dream and Believe the Jetty Rock Foundation Coquina Jam! Keira is an amazing, fierce little spirit who is sure to continue to make big waves in the world of women’s surfing. She recently represented New Jersey in the USA Surfing championships in California. So proud of you in and out of the water, ! To donate, please visit the link below.

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/coquina/KeiraSoleau

16/05/2024

🌊☀️ Waves Of Change Fundraiser☀️🌊

Please join us as we celebrate summer and the sea at The OisF’s 4th Annual Waves of Change Fundraiser! 🌊☀️

We cordially invite the men and women of our local community to attend this (adults only) kick-off to summer event featuring LIVE MUSIC, GIFT AUCTION, a 50/50 RAFFLE and so much more. We are STOKED to be holding this year’s fundraiser at Beach Haus Brewery in Belmar, New Jersey.

Please support TheOisF Foundation and click the link below to purchase your tickets now!
☀️🌊

https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/theoisf/7235/event/1379892

16/05/2024

Be A Ripple 🌊🌸🤙🏽 Be A Sponsor

The OisF is beyond proud of what we have been able to accomplish in the last four years. Through the evolution and expansion of our programs and services, we have created a sea of positivity and opportunity for aspiring young leaders and survivors of abuse and domestic violence.

While The OisF continues to make a positive impact in the lives of countless OisF Riders and Survivors, we return to our community to say thank you.

We simply could not do any of this without you.

As we approach our 4th Annual "Waves of Change" Fundraiser, we lean into the loving support of our local families and businesses and ask for your help.

Please consider becoming a 2024 The OisF Sponsor.

Your tax-deductible donation to The OisF Foundation 501(c)(3) will help us to:

🤙🏽 EXPAND upon The United States’ first-ever, surf therapy for women AND our year-round survivor programming, designed specifically for women impacted by abuse and domestic violence.

🌊 SPONSOR children who have been abused and exposed to domestic violence to attend ocean-based summer camps (e.g., surf, SUP, skateboard, skim boarding etc.) COST FREE.

🌸 BUILD community for girls through The OisF Rider Program by giving us the ability to continue to run our leadership and self-empowerment program for middle-school aged girls and offer girls of all ages unique opportunities for connection and personal development.

We do all of this and more through the generosity and support from people in our community, like you!

It is through your kindness that we are able to change the tide and make waves of change.

It is because of YOU that WE are able to .

Please click the link below to make your donation today!

THANK YOU!

We invite our community to join us:
The OisF’s 4th Annual
Waves Of Change Fundraiser
June 20, 2024
Beach Haus Brewery
801 Main Street
Belmar, New Jersey 07719

https://theoisf.org/pages/third-annual-oisf-waves-of-change-fundraiser-2023 #

16/05/2024

🌺 🌊 🎟️ The OisF’s 50 / 50 🎟️ 🌊 🌺

The OisF is running our 50/50 raffle to help raise money for our ever-evolving, impactful, one-of-a-kind programming that we are able to offer COST FREE to our growing community OisF survivors and riders BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVING SUPPORT.

Please consider purchasing a 50/50 raffle ticket to help us continue our mission.

50/50 raffle tickets are $20 each. This year’s winner stands to win up to $15,000! The winning ticket will be pulled at The OisF’s 4th Annual “Waves of Change” Fundraiser on June 20th at Beach Haus Brewery. While you do NOT need to be present at the event to WIN, we do hope you will join us.

If you wish to purchase a 50/50 ticket online, please Venmo ($20 per ticket) and include your name and phone number and note that your payment is for “50/50” in the memo section. You will receive a picture of your ticket(s) via text!

Thank you in advance for your support and your willingness to

16/05/2024

“Be A Ripple” 2024 Leadership Award
🌸🌊
The OisF will proudly honor one OisF Rider with our “Be A Ripple” 2024 Leadership Award at The OisF’s 4th Annual “Waves of Change” Fundraiser at on June 20th.
🌸🌊
This monetary award will be given to a girl in our OisF community who consistently demonstrates a genuine command of our most fundamental principles of leadership, kindness, bravery and civic-mindedness.
🌸🌊
All existing OisF Riders (regardless of age or grade level) are eligible to apply before our June 1st deadline.
🌸🌊
Please visit the link below to apply to learn more and apply!

https://theoisf.org/pages/oisf-rider-be-a-ripple-leadership-award # (https://theoisf.org/pages/oisf-rider-be-a-ripple-leadership-award #)

07/05/2024

this morning
I saw him open
the car door for his
daughters.

he helped
each girl
put their backpack on.

something about her
want-to-be cool,
abashed, blue eyes

and something
in the way
he placed the straps
on her shoulders,

the way he gently
kissed her forehead
anyway-

reminded me how sweet
it is when
g o o d b y e s
are simple
and left on sidewalks
u n s p o k e n.

it made me remember
all the quiet
ways to miss
a dad.
- rear view mirror

07/05/2024

“You can hear happiness
staggering on down the street
Footprints dressed in red
And the wind whispers
‘Mary’”
- Jimi Hendrix

We invite you to “Music on the Mary”, a Red House Music and Rehearsal Studio SEVEN YEARS of music CELEBRATION!

Please join us aboard the and enjoy a lineup of awesome musical performances and the finest local cuisine brought to you by the one and only, .

We are proudly donating ALL proceeds from this event to Panthers, Let’s Eat. Created to support the needs of students who are on the free/ reduced price lunch plan, Panthers Let’s Eat is a Point Pleasant Boro parent volunteer program that provides healthy meals for students and their siblings when school is not in session. We are so grateful and indebted to this group for the beautiful, kindhearted work they do in our community!

Come help us celebrate local music, local businesses and our local volunteers who all work hard to make this town feel like HOME.

We strongly encourage you to buy your tickets soon as there is limited availability and they will absolutely sell out quickly!

Thank you!



https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-on-the-mary-tickets-885588307467?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

26/03/2024

you are
periwinkle
m a g i c
cherry blossom
p i n k
lace and ruffles
v i o l e t
heavenly whipped c r e a m.
my everything delicious
- you are the colors of my d r e a m s.

Oh, I can think of one million things I didn’t do.�One million things I didn’t finish.
One million things I still need to accomplish.
But, I can tell you what I did do… for the last 365 days, I have loved you with every fiber of my being. I never missed a day, a night, a moment to appreciate the way your chubby little arms taper off into your tiny wrists. The perfect, precious space between your two front teeth. The majesty and depth of your blue eyes that have traveled many moons and generations to be divinely placed at home in your body. The strength of your hands. The way you dance. The way you wave hello. You are a treasure. You are one of the greatest gifts God could ever give me. My forever best friend, my forever sweetheart, my incredible, wonderful, amazing daughter.

To the fastest, greatest, sweetest year of my life, Happy 1st Birthday to the Queen of My World, Calliope Ekua Edolo.

14/02/2024

We’re so proud of our alum Stephanie Bricken, who studied Integrated Health and transformed her journey from fashion to wellness by creating Seraphim Social Beverage. This award-winning, nonalcoholic beverage offers a holistic alternative to wine and is crafted with pure botanical ingredients. Congratulations, Stephanie, on your inspiring achievement!

Click here to learn more about Stephanie’s journey: https://www.app.com/story/money/business/main-street/2024/01/17/seraphim-social-beverage-no-alcohol-red-bank/72167488007/

14/02/2024

When I was little, my dad would buy us Hallmark cards and write these long notes inside filled with warm sentiments that spoke love into my existence.

I don’t remember the gifts. I have no recollection of the teddy bears, the flowers or the heart shaped boxes of chocolates.

I remember his handwriting.

I can vividly recall the way his lettering would emboss the backside of the card stock, leaving behind a world words that could be felt and traced with my tiny fingertips.
“Will you be my Valentine?”

Becoming a mother has softly called me to consider the ways I wish to differentiate my approach to parenting. Simultaneously, motherhood has gently opened the door, welcoming me to remember the things I want to replicate.

I know they won’t remember the cupcakes. They won’t remember the watermelon bath bombs, the new underwear, the fresh socks or the soft pajamas.

But there are things I hope they will remember.

So while they sleep, I’ll stay up painting homemade cards. I’ll wake up early and write to them in the darkness. I’ll push my pen deep into the paper and hope they f e e l my w o r d s. And many moons from now, I hope they will always f e e l my l o v e.
- love always, mama

08/02/2024

When I was
pregnant
she
o f f e r e d.

When my daughter
was born
she
g a v e.

When I won
she
c e l e b r a t e d.

When I called
for help
she
c a m e.

One day
you might look
around
and notice

the friends you
thought you had

are no longer
there.

But there
will be
new
faces.

Beautiful
faces.

Faces
of women
who represent
where
you are,
where
you are going
and who
you want to be.

And there
s h e
i s .

- the women of m i n n e h a h a

06/02/2024

my church
is this
bed.
a shared
sea of
baby
legs
swimming
in congregations
of tangled
blankets,
where warm
pillow
offerings
float
on the currents
of our breath.
and just as
faith
is believing
without seeing-
so are your
knowing
hands,
reaching
for my cheeks
in the darkness.

hallelujah
for these
hearts,
softly beating
in unison,
their sacred
rhythm
the hymn
of my
wild dreams

come
true.

you are
my bones,
my flesh,
my silent prayer
answered.
my salvation.
- you are my holy place

25/12/2023

there is time to s l o w d a n c e
to h o l d hands.
to f e e l the warmth
of your breath.
to b e soothed by the
gentle rise and fall of your chest.
to l i s t e n to the colors
of your d r e a m s.
to s e e and be seen.
to k i s s. yes.
there is time for this.
time was made for moments
of sweet, subtle b l i s s.

m i n n e h a h a

December 18, 2023
Manasquan, New Jersey

24/12/2023

I have some words for that.

A few weeks ago- I was asked to be a part of a new, local art gallery collection.

A handful of my poems are on the wall.

You can buy them.

My poems are quietly nestled between profoundly talented fine artists.

It’s a milestone that has stopped me in my tracks, begging me to slow down and savor the moment for what it really means.

To think that my words might end up in someone’s home, my collection of thoughts might become a part of your world- my life’s takeaways and inspirations might be intertwined with your existence, it’s a remarkable concept for me as a creator. I am humbled by the opportunity to be included, featured and seen by an artist, mother, designer, founder and entrepreneur that I look up to in every way- .art .

It all feels like a dream.

A dream come true, especially because I get to stand in this beautiful space with my two children and my husband who is my best friend. I adore them.

This moment is a reminder that family is our greatest creation and achievement in life.

None of the wins really matter if you can’t share them with your people. Victories are without joy if they can’t be shared with your Mom. If you can’t call your grandparents at the end of the day and tell them… it means nothing.

Love is my north star, my guiding light. With faith, family, with LOVE we have everything. Without it, nothing.

On this Christmas Eve I hope you find yourself surrounded by the people you love. If you can’t be with them physically- give them a call. If you have no one to call, then go outside and share your love with the people you meet. Look someone in the eye and wish them a Merry Christmas. Life is full of pain, sadness and heartache- but it’s through these sacred, pure, heartfelt interactions you will find God. You will find family.
You will find love.

Merry Christmas. I love you.

m i n n e h a h a

19/12/2023

Even in your anger,
in your sadness,
in your confusion,
in the breath you muster
in your hopeless search
of some semblance of relief,
you will f i n d the t r u t h.
Let your tears roll,
crash and crumble
where they may.
At a certain angle,
in the perfect light
you will f i n d the b e a u t y,
the magnificence of it all-
was there the whole time.
- search for silver linings

caption + capture
m i n n e h a h a

Manasquan Inlet
December 18, 2023

16/12/2023

22/11/2023

Shop with 💗! A purchase from The OisF supports The OisF Foundation which sustains their amazing Rider and survivor programming. Get 30% off your order with promocode: ENJOY30

09/10/2023

I
hope
we

always
stand
together
like a couple
of trees-
the rings
in our trunks
telling the story of
time.

For eternity,
side by side
under
the sun,
they’ll find us
bearing our fruit
becoming
stronger
in the wind,
finding
respite in shared shadows.

Our branches
reaching for the sky
and each other.
And our roots
intertwined
so

d
e
e
p

d
o
w
n

they will never
separate us
nor will they ever
fully know
the origins
of
where you begin
and
where
I
end.

o l d - g r o w t h

caption. capture. connect.
words + images
by Minnehaha Creation

22/09/2023

Red House Music and Rehearsal Studio
3127 Bridge Avenue

11/09/2023

I have never been one to write about “where I was when I got the news”, kind of person. Because I was just a kid.

But now I have grown.
I am a wife.
A mother.

The gravity. The fleeting preciousness of life has allowed me speak from a vantage point that makes me more equipped to share my understanding.

My compassion.

To walk hand in hand with the suffering that took place on this day is to understand the great loss experienced by families.

Last night, 60 minutes did a special on the tragedy of 9/11.
To listen to the “type of guy” that these firemen were.
The sacrifice.
The fear they pushed aside to help people that simply weren’t going to get saved.
They climbed those stairs anyway.
The phone calls made by men and women who were trapped in a burning building.
To hear the sounds of people jumping, their bodies hitting the rooftops.
“Am I going to die in here? My body is burning.”
The 911 dispatcher, “No- think positive. Say your prayers, there is someone coming to help you.”

Harrowing.

It’s easy to get lost in our daily frustrations.

Look at all this laundry I have to fold.
My kid hates me because I told him to stop playing video games. I think my friend is mad at me. I wish my husband would pick up his shoes. I have so much work to do and so much…

You have so much.

So much that so many would give anything to return to.
The joy of folding their baby’s clothes one more time. The gift of picking up their husbands shoes, knowing he’ll be putting them on again tomorrow. Knowing, your son is angry at you right now, but after school, he has forgotten what happened this morning and when you reach in the backseat to hold his hand- he’ll hold yours right back.
To know that, no one is mad at you- you just misunderstood.
To know you get another day.
To know.

So when people say never forget,
what you really shouldn’t forget it how truly lucky we are to be alive.
Never forget how precious this life is.
Never forget that your little daily frustrations are life’s purest, truest gift.

If it takes never forgetting a tragedy to always remember your blessings, then fine.

“Think positive. Say your prayers. You are going to live.”

- a l w a y s r e m e m b e r

13/08/2023

“I may not have that much to give in material things, but what I have I give to you so freely- shine on.” - John Cruz

When I was growing up, my grandparents did so much for my family. They brought us all together through holidays and family dinners, they bought us clothes, helped financially when our family was in need, they made every Christmas the stuff that dreams were made of.

As I got older, they helped me buy books in college, they got me my first car and payed my insurance while I was in school. Another huge gift my grandparents gave me- was the gift of travel. From the east coast to the west coast and many states in between, I have been blessed to travel to many places that I would not have seen- if not for them. One of those destinations I had the gift of traveling to was Hawaii. For the short amount of time I stayed there- the land and ocean and the PEOPLE made a life changing impression on my heart. It was in the Pacific, with the tender instruction from a Tahitian Uncle that I learned the ancient art of surfing. Surfing continues to be one of the biggest blessings in my life and I feel, deep in my bones that we owe so much to the culture that bestowed this gift on our lives.

Right now- these sacred lands, the ocean that we share, our brothers and sisters in the pacific need our help. The Hawaii that we’ve been lucky enough to travel to, a collection of islands that we are privileged to include in what we call the United States of America— they need that grandparent like energy to come through.

On Wednesday evening between 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Minnehaha Creation is setting up on on our beloved surfing beach- . I’m offering family, couple, individual mini photo sessions. (I’ll take three shots, edit the best one and add it to a community album where you can download it.) I’m asking for $25.00 cash or Venmo . 100% of what our surf community raises will be donated to a family on Maui who could our blessing!

For the love of surfing, for the love of Hawaii- let’s show them that Manasquan is sending back the spirit of Aloha that they so generously share with us.

T h a n k Y o u.
🌺🌈🌊🤙🏽

08/08/2023

There are things
everyone
can do.

There are things
no one
can do

like
y o u.

Spirit
implores.

Explore
and bare
the lost
undercurrents
of your existence.

The universe seeks
and speaks
in tongues
patiently
waiting
for you to listen
to the murmuring
beat
of your pulse.
The quiet hush
of your destiny
c a l l I n g.

Can you hear it?

Can you see it?

You’ll know your doing it
right
when you find yourself
d a n c i ng
fluently to the rhythm
of your own
light.

Remember.

- Y o u a r e t h e A r t i s t

🎨 Theresa Losa Art
📷 📝 Minnehaha Creation

22/07/2023

The wise Woman told me to
carry and deliver my dream’s
wisdom and
this is what
they
told
me…

Please check out my latest work published in Elated Magazine.

Thank you, for featuring .creation and for all you do to support creators. I am honored to be among the insanely talented artists, musicians, writers in Issue 7.



https://issuu.com/elatedmagazine/docs/issue_7_elated_-_july_2023?fbclid=PAAabk0EarJtzzzywwrG-yf50xZtAFFpW6ncCS2ZeNO4ocf9WpVSrC4xMg5i0_aem_AT5UEFDg2VwtgarHyAEvtytivu2a2Ec_37XmB8-Jwt-SVFwL6mVRebZFt4IGmwqfSJ4

09/07/2023

🌸 Girl Power 🌸

17/06/2023

The burning bush.

I dream in high definition.
In full sound, clarity and color.

Last night I dreamt you bought the family a camper. It had three full bathrooms. It was a full sized, three story, spacious abode that somehow fit inside a all-terrain van.

I thought it wasn’t practical to be driving this vehicle for my short daily trips back and forth to River’s school and I really like the car that we just got but you said we couldn’t afford to keep both. I said I would get a job at Food Town to maintain the car payments.

We pulled up to the grocery store for my first day of work. My shift was supposed to start at 6:00 but when I got out of the car there was a group of people trying to organize a surprise birthday gathering for a friend. The friend didn’t answer the phone. I thought- I should tell them to call again and if she shows up- I can take their picture to remember the day. They said, “Do you hear that music playing? I bet she is there!”

I responded delighted by the idea that- “Yes, she is probably where the music is playing! Does she like The Doors?”

I could hear “Road House Blues” playing in the distance.

“ Ashen lady,
Give up your vows
Save our city
Right now

Well, I woke up this mornin'
And I got myself a beer
The future's uncertain
And the end is always near
Let it roll, baby, roll”

You sat with me on the bench outside of the grocery store. It was 6:05 and something inside my heart was preventing me from going in to start my new job. As you quietly spoke to me, I tuned you out, mesmerized by an uncommonly beautiful woman. She had giant, red curly hair. So red and so big it looked like a burning bush sitting atop her pail, freckled face. She sat on the ground with her lover, backs against the store front; I can see her round green eyes and gapped teeth, their long skinny arms and legs tangled up around each other, almost facing me, as if to say “take our picture.” I thought to myself- where is my camera? These people are so astonishing to look at- I have to photograph them.

A few of their equally ordinary, yet exquisite looking friends showed up. They all had newspapers, lined up against the front of the grocery store. And even though they seemed to be in no hurry, I asked them if I could take their picture and they did not say yes but they did not say no. They sort of acted like they had somewhere else to be.

I looked at you and I knew it was time to go to work but I couldn’t. “I can’t go,” I said. “How am I supposed to see everything I am supposed to see out here, if I am in there?”
You smiled in agreement.

Just waiting a couple more minutes on that bench with you- everything became so clear, all the confusion settled into knowing- I am where I’m supposed to be.

I woke up.

Naked.

My body being held by yours.

“I have to write this dream,” I told you.

“Do you want me to get something so you can write it?”

Sometimes we sleep and dream. Sometimes, we wake up and live our dream.

I hope you rise to meet love. A love who listens. A love that gives time, space, and the tools you need to see your dream. To write your dream. To live your dream.

Because of you, love- “I am what I am.”

In my dreams and in this life- I live to see everything that’s ordinary and remarkable. To capture it. To put words to it. To share it.

Even if it all remains a soliloquy
I like knowing
this is my art
that will out live me.

- welcome to the land of milk and honey

27/05/2023

❤️ Red House Music & Rehearsal Studio

27/05/2023

L 🌸 V E