Two Days Before the Minnesota State Fair

It’s 6:00 a.m., and I’m UP.

Two days before the 2026 Minnesota State Fair begins, and honestly, I have this deep feeling of excitement. I truly love everything about the fair: the energy, the people, the creativity, the vendors, the conversations, the unexpected moments, and the feeling that our community comes together for something so special.

But this year, I’m arriving at the fair in a different season of my life.

For the last several weeks, I have been dealing with severe back pain. I’m getting tired faster, and I haven’t been able to give 100% of myself to everything the way I normally do. I’ve tried so many things, and some days have simply been harder than others. But I’m still here.

I’m meditating. I’m stretching. I’m taking one day at a time. I’m reminding myself that taking care of my mind is just as important as taking care of everything else.And that is one of the reasons I keep going.

So, I know many of you are in one of the busiest seasons of the year. Some of you are getting your children ready for school. Some of you have a child riding the school bus for the first time and wondering how they will do. Some of you are sending your little ones off to school and feeling all the emotions that come with that. And some of you are teachers, preparing classrooms, lessons, and your hearts for another school year. If that is you, I want you to hear this from me this morning: YOU GOT THIS!

I know many of you have told me you are not ready for summer to end. I understand. But maybe we can remind ourselves that every season can still have a little bit of “summer” in it.

Joy is not always something we find. Sometimes, we create it.

Sometimes it is in a morning cup of coffee.

Sometimes it is a hug.

Sometimes it is laughter around the dinner table.

Sometimes it is choosing to slow down for five minutes.

Sometimes it is simply telling yourself, “I’m doing the best I can today.”

And to all my fellow Minnesota State Fair vendors—whether this is your first year or you’ve been coming back year after year—I see you.

The early mornings.

The late nights.

The preparation.

The uncertainty.

The heavy lifting.

The last-minute details.

The excitement and the exhaustion.

You are doing amazing.

People love the fair and I hope you remember that your presence is part of what makes it special.

This summer has also been incredibly meaningful for my family. Many of you know that my sister and her family have been visiting us from the UK. After seven wonderful weeks together, they will be flying home this Thursday. The last four weeks have not been easy physically. There were many moments when I wished I could give my family my whole self, but my body simply wouldn’t allow it. And yet, when I look back, I know I did my best.

I made memories.

I laughed.

I showed up.

I spent time with the people I love.

I worked.

I rested when I needed to.

And I kept moving forward.

Maybe that is enough.

So, I’m giving myself permission not to have a perfect month. I’m giving myself permission to be human. And I’m giving myself permission to say that I’m proud that I kept going. I also know many of you are incredibly understanding, so I hope you won’t mind that my regular blog is a little early this month. I just wanted to make sure I wrote something: even if it is simply a little reminder to all of us.

As we enter this busy season, my prayer is that we can be a little more mindful of one another.

We never truly know what someone else is carrying. So let’s be the person who encourages. The person who gives a little grace. The person who offers a hug. The person who listens. The person who cheers someone else on.

And my personal prayer right now is simple:

God, please give me strength. Give me an open heart. Help me love people well. Help me hug people, see people, and accept people exactly as they are. Help me continue to show up with gratitude, even on the days when my body is asking me to slow down. And please bless this State Fair season and make it a successful year for all of us.

And if you’re coming to the Minnesota State Fair, PLEASE COME SEE ME! ❤️

📍 Namaste Boutique🎡 Minnesota State Fair – Grandstand, Lower Level

With Gratitude,

Jeena Gurung Vomhof