IF I GET KIDNAPPED ON THIS TRIP, WILL YOU COME AND GET ME?

On October 25, 2011, American Jessica Buchanan left her home in Hargeisa, Somalia headed on a business trip for her job with a Danish non-governmental organization developing mine awareness programs in the country.

But Buchanan and a colleague were kidnapped — at gunpoint — and held for ransom by a band of Somali pirates. She was imprisoned, held outdoors in filthy conditions and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, facing starvation and deteriorating health. After 93 days, on January 25, 2012, US Navy SEALs rescued Buchanan and her Danish colleague, who were airlifted to safety.

“It changed the trajectory of my life,” says Buchanan. “It allowed me to learn [about] myself in a way that I don’t think I would have ever [been able to] had the opportunity [not happened and] had I not been faced with such a tremendous obstacle.”

Buchanan went on to find accolades and achievements. She wrote a NY Times best-selling personal account of her ordeal and was named one of the "150 Women Who Will Shake the World" by Newsweek. Her story was the most highly-viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, to date. She is a sought-after speaker, inspiring audiences to access resilience within their own life-changing events.

“I crave connection and that’s my superpower,” she says. “I find it so much more interesting and exciting and gratifying to collaborate than to do something on my own.”

Her latest collaboration is a new book, Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming our Voice. The anthology is a collection of memoirs authored by Buchanan and 25 other women who have experienced hardship and are journeying from the desert of survival.

“I first heard Jess's kidnapping story on a podcast. Her resilience and her commitment to healing both herself and others most impressed me,” says Andrea Birskovich, a contributor to Deserts to Mountaintops.

Topics of the book’s contributors vary, but the common denominator comes down to tales of resilience and strength. Buchanan skillfully mentored contributors to articulate their stories.

“She's just really good at pulling the wisdom out and helping you play around with [the pieces of the story] until they're little golden nuggets,” says contributor Lonna Whiting, who wrote about her journey as a caregiver to her mother battling Alzheimer’s.

Buchanan also co-hosts a popular women’s conversational podcast, We Should Talk About That, where she and Jessica Kidwell address uncomfortable topics rarely discussed. It ranks in the top 1% of the 2.6 million airing shows.

For now, the married mom of two focuses on family, her new book, speaking engagements and the podcast. And in each, she is nudged to dwell on inclusivity and equality.

“I finally understand where I’m at in my story,” she says. “I have just figured out how to tell that narrative from a place that feels authentic and true to me.” can easily achieve a Spring-time feel by adding some flowersreal or faux - to your home

To learn more, visit www.jessbuchanan.com.

The Women’s Board of the American Heart Association recently hosted the 75th Annual Affair of the Heart Luncheon and Fashion Show. This event raised funds aimed at reducing heart disease and stroke. Together, we are a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

Flowers are almost essential in your foyer or entryway. Don’t have room for a table? Try a wall pocket or hanging mason jars. These can look modern, rustic or provincial. If using faux flowers, make sure to dust them.

Another must-have are flowers on your dining table. If you’re anything like me, this area becomes a catch-all for any and everything. However, when you take the time to add an arrangement or centerpiece, you’ll be less likely to "junk it up." And who doesn’t like walking into a dining room with a clean table and a beautiful focal point? This is especially important when you have unexpected guests.

Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Whole Foods and Fresh Market are great sources for fresh flowers. For wholesale flowers, try Middle Atlantic Wholesale Florist on Wheeler Avenue.

A great way to keep real flowers fresh is to change the water and snip off the bottom of the stems. Periodically snipping the stems opens up the cells to allow more fresh water to reach the flowers. This is especially helpful with tulips, daffodils and hyacinth.

Amy Sills Eggers is a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker in Alexandria with a background in floral and botanical design as well as home staging.