Welcome, dear friend.
It means more to me than words can express that you’ve landed here, at Jewel and Ash. Whether you’ve sought out this space or simply stumbled upon it, I am so genuinely glad you’re here. This is journey I’m navigating is tough, and your presence truly makes a difference.
Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore stories that illuminate the unseen realities of life, perhaps find a piece of comfort that speaks to your heart, or discover a new insight that resonates with your own journey. My hope is that you find validation, feel a little less alone, and discover new ways to embrace both the challenges and the brilliance life offers.
I believe deeply in the power of connection, and your voice matters here. Please feel welcome to share your thoughts in the comments, or share with others you think may benefit from what you find. To ensure this remains a safe and supportive space for everyone, I kindly ask that all comments reflect validation and respect. Any language that is negative, unkind, or doesn’t align with our community values will not be posted or will be removed at the discretion of the website owners.
Thank you for being part of this space. Take your time, explore, and know that you are seen.
This website continues to be a work in progress, and we appreciate your patience. If you find elements of the website that appear to be broken, or need to be fixed, we would gladly appreciate your input. In order to keep the comments space saved for conversation about the post or visitors own experiences, please email these comments to [email protected] and thank you for your help and interest in our mission.
What is Jewel and Ash?
Jewel and Ash exists because life, especially with chronic illness like MS, presents both profound challenges and unexpected moments of brilliance. Born from my personal journey – a space where the resilience, strength, and moments of brilliance (the jewel) meet the fragility, loss, and difficult realities (the ash) – our mission is to illuminate these experiences through authentic, vulnerable storytelling, handcrafted goods that offer tangible comfort, psychological and practical tools that promote resilience, and understanding from others offer validation.. When you visit JewelandAsh.com, you can expect to find a community fostering genuine understanding and empathy, practical resources for navigating daily life with chronic illness, and a powerful reminder that even after the burn, brilliance can emerge, building bridges of compassion along the way. For more about Jade visit the about page here.
What’s in a Name?
The name “Jewel and Ash” is deeply personal, yet has relatable themes built into it. It originates literally from my own name: Jade for Jewel and my middle name, Aspen for “Ash. It came to me one very early morning while I was in the bathroom. The initials “JA” resonated with me at first, as well as the meaning behind a green rock and a yellow tree which is a nickname I have had since I can remember. Beyond the literal, the name embodies several profound meanings.
The Jewel: I remember being called “one of grandpa’s gems.” My grandmother’s name was Opal, and when she died, he remarried a woman named Pearl. Jewels and Gems became a signal of light and hope for me. Jewel here represents resilience, strength, and brilliance, particularly drawing from the jade stone’s exceptional toughness and resistance to breaking, symbolizing that one doesn’t have to be “hard” to be strong. It also connects to her father’s story of finding valuable jade, emphasizing inherent worth beyond flashiness.
The Ash Acknowledges fragility, loss, and the difficult realities of chronic illness, representing the aftermath of hardship but also the potential for new growth.
The Dialectic: At its core, the name embraces the therapeutic concept that two opposite truths can coexist simultaneously – finding strength in vulnerability, experiencing both joy and sorrow, and discovering brilliance and beauty emerging directly from moments of struggle. It signifies transformation and resilience found in life’s complexities.
Exploring the Blog
New posts are released Monday at 8am with some special posts released Thursdays at 5pm, and for holidays and anniversaries.
My journey with MS has shown me that our lives, especially when touched by chronic illness, are complex maps, filled with winding paths and unexpected detours. My own brain has become the ultimate landscape for this adventure. Think of this blog as a ‘choose your own adventure’ through the realities of life. Each post represents many aspects of the human experience – a thought, a feeling, a challenge, a moment of profound insight. There’s no right or wrong path, just your own unique journey of understanding. Below, you can find different themes and paths to explore the stories that are shared here. Enjoy your time exploring!
NEW!
I’m launching The Value Compass, a new project where I’ll explore how my values have changed since my MS diagnosis. Each week I’ll share a new reflection and a self-care activity. You can help guide my journey by voting for the next value!
Reflection posts will be released Monday at 8am!
The Origin Story: When Life Rewrites the Map
Curious how this journey began, or how life can change in an instant?
Double the Fireworks, Double the Trouble: My Origin Story
About Me (Jade)
My Body’s New Language: The Physical & Sensory Realities
Wondering what MS truly feels like, beyond what you see?
Unseen Waves of Shifting Tides – This is a story that gives all of my symptoms animal personas.
“MS Doesn’t Care”: My Daily Comedy of Errors
The Inner Landscape: Emotions, Identity & Self
How can chronic illness impact identity, and what you feel?
Adjusting Sails
Beyond Wrinkles and Wisdom: How MS Changed My View of Aging
The Digital Mirror: A Year of MS, Love, and Radical Acceptance
The Cracks We Carry: Finding Strength in Our Broken Pieces
From Bar Fights to Bathroom Stalls: The Unraveling of ‘Star‘
Try Harder Wasn’t the Answer
Navigating the Systems: Healthcare & Society
Ever felt like you don’t fit? Or the system isn’t built for you?
Beyond ‘Get Used To It’: The Pursuit of Fairness
I’m not a giraffe, you’re a giraffe
The Unseen Depths: My Real Cruise Experience with MS
The Human Connection: Relationships & Support
How do relationships change? What does real support look like?
Adjusting Sails – I wrote this to / for my sister on her birthday.
The Cracks We Carry
The Silent Sentinel: The Unexpected Jewel In Days Filled with Ash
The Unseen Depths – This is a story about a family cruise taken in June 2025.
The Digital Mirror – This is a reflection, based on a random playlist I listened to. It was posted on the year anniversary of my diagnosis.
Finding Light: Coping, Resilience & Purpose
Looking for tools, hope, or a new way forward?
The Digital Mirror (Radical acceptance, self-compassion, redefining success)
Beyond ‘Get Used To It’ (Radical acceptance, DBT insights)
“MS Doesn’t Care”: My Daily Comedy of Errors (Mindfulness in chaos, humor as coping)
Elements Coming Soon
Be sure to come back soon for new elements and changing ways to connect and learn. Below are some ideas that are in process! If notice you are particularly interested in any of these elements, please email [email protected] for more information.
Names, Faces, and Stories Behind the Blog
Youtube reactions to stories and more information about blog stories
Podcast discussion of symptoms and life with MS
Handmade gifts
Crafting groups
Discussion groups for others with MS
Stories and insights from helpers in our lives
