I’m writing because this past year has been both stretching and clarifying. It has held grief, disruption, and a lot of unexpected lessons, and I’ve felt the need to slow down long enough to tell a little bit about what it was like to live it.

Everyone’s story is different. But I understand the feeling of being stuck without the help of the people who were able to give it. So often, the people who can help, don’t — because it requires stepping into something that disrupts. It gets messy. And so many are simply not willing…

The boys had been butting heads during their playtime. Frustration with each other was building, and emotions were high. We could have stepped in, mediated the situation quickly, and moved on. But instead, we chose to pause and lean into the moment. I called a family meeting and began a conversation…