I hadn’t heard all of these stories, and now I’m crying. I can’t even imagine that. But the truth is, we will never be close enough to keep them safe. My daughter broke her arm right in front of me. My other daughter split her chin wide open on the living room floor while I watched. I’ve taken emotional bullets for them, until I drew a line, and then my son killed himself. It is a terrifying world, and all we can do is hold hands and do our best. I just want you to know that I hear you, I see you, and I am holding your hand. I love you, my friend, and your beautiful, vulnerable heart.
Ah, sister. Your dream strikes deep. It feels like a collective dream that many of us are having. It's close.
I thank you for sharing — this great reckoning.
The tears of too many.
The ache of watching our grown children move beyond our arms, beyond our saving, while the world spins ever more wildly. It’s a collective prayer, a collective surrender. I am amid a long time clench to keep moving on, again and again.
And I remember: loving them as they are, where they are, is the most radical act I have left. It's hard, yet a way of tending to ourselves.
You are not alone in this wild, aching love. The ache that connects us when we feel most vulnerable.
Yes, as Prajna describes, ‘this great reckoning.’ How to live touching both, the moment, the breath, the what if. There are no lesson plans for this. We are each feeling into the ethers. May our hands and hearts touch and catch one another again and again.
In the midst, our pups first day of a training class. Hoping she’s a solid C student. 😅All paws are crossed. 🐾A simple, present moment exhale within all the unknowns. Big love to you dear one, and to all who land here. 💜🪶
No lesson plans, no real guide books, and yet here we are, doing the work. I'm sure your pup will at least be a C student ... and she'll be happy no matter what because she's in a fabulous, love-filled home. <3
She rocked it! You’ll be watching her soon on the ‘Westminster’ Dog show. ☺️She loved it! She is our bright light in the midst of the heaviness of life right now. I know you get that! 💜🐾
Well, how about that! Trinie is a nickname that my mother-in-law had for my husband's first dog, named Pepé. We never were sure how she came up with that, yet I loved it! I had it filed away to use I hoped one day. So many of our former dogs were rescues and came with their names. Soulmates indeed YOU are. Love knowing this! 💜🐶💜
I feel your dream in my bones and I am so glad you wrote this. Such painful, heartbreaking times, and yet I’d rather be one of the heartbroken people than one of the ones “down below the balcony” not getting it. Hugs and love, friend ❤️🩹
Katrina, what a searing essay. I felt every word of it. As a daughter, a mother, an often despairing human in a world that seems colder and crueler for every passing day. The story you shared of the woman in her vacation cabin, would you mind sharing a link? I feel called to witness as brutal as it must have been for that mother in that moment. Thank you for sharing your dreams. When others share we feel less alone in what seems untenable.
Oh, Katrina. I don't even know what to say. I've been wrecked lately, reading about the inhumanity. The administration has never been the most upsetting to me--it consists of a few cruel psychopaths. It's the vast number of people who cheer for them and empower them at the expense of the rest of us. At their own expense. At the planet's. It's hard to bear. All the more excruciating when the future closest to your heart isn't just your own, but your children's.
I hear you, Wendy. The ones who continue to support this administration break my heart in a million different ways. It's especially hard to embrace the ones who like to call themselves "Christians." None of it makes sense.
I hadn’t heard all of these stories, and now I’m crying. I can’t even imagine that. But the truth is, we will never be close enough to keep them safe. My daughter broke her arm right in front of me. My other daughter split her chin wide open on the living room floor while I watched. I’ve taken emotional bullets for them, until I drew a line, and then my son killed himself. It is a terrifying world, and all we can do is hold hands and do our best. I just want you to know that I hear you, I see you, and I am holding your hand. I love you, my friend, and your beautiful, vulnerable heart.
I love you right back, friend. You know, too intimately, the worst pain of parenting. I'm grateful to have your fierce love in my life. XO
Ah, sister. Your dream strikes deep. It feels like a collective dream that many of us are having. It's close.
I thank you for sharing — this great reckoning.
The tears of too many.
The ache of watching our grown children move beyond our arms, beyond our saving, while the world spins ever more wildly. It’s a collective prayer, a collective surrender. I am amid a long time clench to keep moving on, again and again.
And I remember: loving them as they are, where they are, is the most radical act I have left. It's hard, yet a way of tending to ourselves.
You are not alone in this wild, aching love. The ache that connects us when we feel most vulnerable.
It's the very best we can do, isn't it? Loving them as they are, where they are. All the mother love to you, Prajna. XO
Yes, as Prajna describes, ‘this great reckoning.’ How to live touching both, the moment, the breath, the what if. There are no lesson plans for this. We are each feeling into the ethers. May our hands and hearts touch and catch one another again and again.
In the midst, our pups first day of a training class. Hoping she’s a solid C student. 😅All paws are crossed. 🐾A simple, present moment exhale within all the unknowns. Big love to you dear one, and to all who land here. 💜🪶
No lesson plans, no real guide books, and yet here we are, doing the work. I'm sure your pup will at least be a C student ... and she'll be happy no matter what because she's in a fabulous, love-filled home. <3
She rocked it! You’ll be watching her soon on the ‘Westminster’ Dog show. ☺️She loved it! She is our bright light in the midst of the heaviness of life right now. I know you get that! 💜🐾
What's her name, Joanie?
Her name is Trinie. She’s a Blue Merle Aussie Shepherd. Five and a half months now and ALL heart. 💝
Trinie is one of my nicknames. I feel like I just found my canine soulmate. <3
Well, how about that! Trinie is a nickname that my mother-in-law had for my husband's first dog, named Pepé. We never were sure how she came up with that, yet I loved it! I had it filed away to use I hoped one day. So many of our former dogs were rescues and came with their names. Soulmates indeed YOU are. Love knowing this! 💜🐶💜
I do, I do! They bring us such joy! <3
I feel your dream in my bones and I am so glad you wrote this. Such painful, heartbreaking times, and yet I’d rather be one of the heartbroken people than one of the ones “down below the balcony” not getting it. Hugs and love, friend ❤️🩹
Thanks for being the inspiration, friend. Hugs and love right back to you. XO
Katrina, what a searing essay. I felt every word of it. As a daughter, a mother, an often despairing human in a world that seems colder and crueler for every passing day. The story you shared of the woman in her vacation cabin, would you mind sharing a link? I feel called to witness as brutal as it must have been for that mother in that moment. Thank you for sharing your dreams. When others share we feel less alone in what seems untenable.
It's an almost unbearable read, Amy. Just devastating. XO
https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-flood-firsthand-account/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebutton&fbclid=IwY2xjawLiGBtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHr42gkFpD56bncChXud2alQnN-rehPzn0haMlCvDM7cNbk_NgR5Vo9sZxuJw_aem_2uiFa6MHZVbqjK4tJU6gTQ
Oh, Katrina. I don't even know what to say. I've been wrecked lately, reading about the inhumanity. The administration has never been the most upsetting to me--it consists of a few cruel psychopaths. It's the vast number of people who cheer for them and empower them at the expense of the rest of us. At their own expense. At the planet's. It's hard to bear. All the more excruciating when the future closest to your heart isn't just your own, but your children's.
I hear you, Wendy. The ones who continue to support this administration break my heart in a million different ways. It's especially hard to embrace the ones who like to call themselves "Christians." None of it makes sense.
It makes no sense. I keep reading to try to understand, but I can't. And I'm tired of trying.