“We are love.
We are one.
We are how we treat each other when the day is done.
We are peace.
We are war.
We are how we treat each other and nothing more.”
–The Alternate Routes
Being an author can be a lonely occupation. But most of the time, my introverted self thrives in the solitude. I relish the control I have over work decisions and work environment. But there are times, particularly book deadlines times, when I’d do anything to have a colleague peek over the cubicle and say, “We’re in the home stretch! We got this!” or “You want to take the last few paragraphs of this section, and I’ll run with the conclusion?”
As I neared my recent book deadline, I felt the aloneness, the weight of it all, bearing down squarely on my shoulders. With this being my third book, it was possible most people assumed I had this in the bag. Rachel’s got this—most of my loyal supporters probably thought. But I didn’t. Instead of becoming more energized as I reached the finish line, I became more uncertain, more emotional, and more depleted. I knew I was going to drag myself across the finish line, and it wasn’t going to be pretty. I saw the red flags—the urge to speak in short, snippy responses … the lack of patience … the surplus of irritability. Sadly, my discontent was directed at one person—the person I am closest to … the person who loves me at my worst … the person who knows me better than anyone else.
My husband knew the book deadline was looming, but hadn’t noted the exact day it was due. In his mind, he was doing many things to support me during this intense and challenging time. But in my mind, I was alone in my cubicle. My team had deserted me. The momentous March 1st date starred and circled on my calendar for almost a year was just another day at my house. The team high-fives and clinking glasses I’d been hoping for didn’t happen. As you can guess, my fatigued, weary self did not communicate my disappointment to my husband very well.
The good news was there were no slamming doors or tearful meltdowns. There were no squealing tires or smashed coffee pots like the days of old. But there was a severe lack of perspective. I could only see the situation through my eyes. And because of my fragile state of aloneness, it was hard to let go of my disappointment and see it any other way.
For several days, I remained snippy, impatient, and unkind to the one I am closest to … the one who loves me at my worst … the one who whispers, “I love you,” before I fall asleep. Unconsciously, I was unsettled by my behavior. I knew this because I continued to have horrible nightmares about my book even though the manuscript was written and submitted.
Several nights after the deadline passed, I had the most horrific dream. It was so bad I felt compelled to get up and run. As I tore myself from my bed, my left ankle got caught in the sheet. The rest of my body landed hard on the floor, slamming my shoulder and right ankle against the bedside dresser.
Stunned and in pain, I sat there and cried. And that’s when I felt the worst loneliness of all, worse than being alone at the finish line. Because the hand that was usually there to help me up … the one that holds mine every time I have a nightmare … the one that offers forgiveness, no matter what happened yesterday, was not there. My husband had gone on a work trip, and I was sorry, so very sorry for losing sight of what really mattered. I sat there for several more minutes, crying and praying.
The next morning, I hobbled downstairs on my sore ankle to boil eggs for my daughters’ breakfast. I immediately noticed my husband’s slippers sitting by the garage door. Each morning he puts on slippers with his business attire so the click of his dress shoes don’t wake our children as he comes down the stairs. It’s pretty much a metaphor for the way my thoughtful husband lives his life—always putting others needs before his own, the one who always gives more than he receives.
I picked up those slippers and felt long-held tension leave my body as my stubborn heart softened and remorse hit me like a ton of bricks.
As I walked those slippers back to their place in the closet, the lyrics of a beautiful song by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors began to play in my head.
“Everyone's got their own set of troubles.
Everyone's got their own set of blues.
Everyone's got their own set of struggles.
Walk a mile in another man's shoes.”
I’d always thought that song was about being aware of the unseen burdens carried by strangers we encounter. I’d never applied these lyrics to the ones I am closest to … the ones I live and breathe … the ones whose faces I know by heart. Too often I assume I know what burdens my loved ones carry. Too often I fail to consider the situation from their points of view. But it is not too late. Thank goodness, it is not too late.
With clarity, I admitted these perspective-shifting truths:
Yes, my husband missed my deadline, but how many important deadlines of his do I miss?
How often do I wonder about the burdens he’s carrying—ones he doesn’t want to trouble me with?
When I notice worry in his eyes, how often do I ask, “How can I help?”
How often do I consider the influence of his past experiences on his approach to life before deciding his way is “wrong?”
How often do I celebrate his quiet, steady sacrifices that often go under my radar, but make a tremendous difference in my life?
In a nutshell: How often do I walk a mile in his shoes?
In the Drew Holcomb song, my favorite section is the bridge. This powerful line repeats four times, “If you ain’t learned that by now, go ahead and walk another mile.”
I’m pretty sure I need to walk another mile.
It’s far too easy to be impatient and unkind to the ones I love because I know they’ll always love me. But shouldn’t I be most kind to those who love me no matter how poorly I’ve behaved? Shouldn’t I be most tender to those who wipe my tears? Shouldn’t I be most generous to those who tend to my deepest needs?
Recently my 75-year-old parents visited. Lined up in the hallway were my mom’s sensible, low-heeled flats with orthotics. Next to them, were my younger daughter’s worn out, smelly pair of TOMS. And next to that, were my husband’s colorful running shoes. I became a little emotional when I thought about what the people who wear those shoes do for me: They see me at my worst, but they love me anyway. Is there any greater gift to receive than unconditional, never-failing, steadfast love? I don’t think so. Seeing the shoes of my beloveds created a sense of urgency to keep becoming the best version of myself—one who is kind to those she’s closest to—particularly in times of challenge, fatigue, frustration, and hopelessness.
As a start, I am going to do a better job of acknowledging what my love ones might face when they walk out the door. After all, I don’t know who will speak unkindly to my child or make her feel unwelcome. I don’t know what stressful events my husband will encounter in his workday. I don’t know how often my parents will feel the fragility of life tapping them on the shoulder. I don’t know what moments my beloved people will feel alone, inferior, scared, or worried. So while they are here, in my house, I will love them the way I want to be loved—with understanding, kindness, empathy, and grace. I want to love them with the kind of love that comes from walking in their shoes.
Although I could end the post right here, I want to acknowledge those who offer the greatest gift a human being can give: unconditional, never failing, steadfast love. I think it’s safe to say many of you fall into that category along with my husband. The significance of that gift is seldom acknowledged, but it should be acknowledged every single day. So as a tribute for those whose love knows no boundaries or limitations, please read this final message. I hope it silences your inner critic today.
You Love Them Anyway
Someone you love might be unusually clingy today.
Someone you love might have some extra hostility.
Someone you love might be eerily quiet or unreasonably defensive.
And you love her anyway.
Someone you love might have paper-thin patience.
Someone you love might be trying to shut you out.
Someone you love might be trying to push you away.
And you love him anyway.
Someone you love might say hateful words.
Someone you love might hate herself right now.
Someone you love might hate you right now.
And you love her anyway.
Someone you love might not be himself right now.
Someone you love might be really hard to love right now.
Someone you love might feel very far away.
And you love him anyway.
And you love her anyway.
Just let that soak in for a moment.
You love someone at his worst.
You love someone when she’s most unlovable.
You love them anyway.
You love them anyway.
Because of you, there is a human being walking on this earth who doesn’t have to ask for love—it is just given; it is given.
Because of you, there is a human being who doesn’t have to wonder if he or she is loved. He just knows; she just knows.
Because of you, someone can be human—with faults, flaws, moods, and mistakes—and still be loved.
There is no greater gift in someone’s lifetime than unconditional, never-failing, steadfast love.
And that’s what you give.
Let that soak in … and put your doubts and failings to rest.
Then go on doing what you do best: Love them anyway.
© rachel macy stafford 2016
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Friends of The Hands Free Revolution, when I began this blog, I had no idea how much I would come to cherish the community we would form here. I read every comment and feel so grateful and inspired by the way you share your struggles and triumphs. Every comment you write offers us a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes … to see a different perspective … to feel less alone. Through your comments, we are learning how to love each other better! It makes me teary when I think about it! Friends, I am honored that many of you have been recommending me as a speaker for events in your cities. Hearing your stories in person is the next best thing to reading your stories online. Many of you have let me know you are coming to the Denver speaking event from 10am to noon on Saturday, May 14th! I cannot wait to meet you! Please click here for information about that event happening at Denver First Church (scroll down to “Ladies Spring Tea” for the ticket link). Friends in San Francisco, Nashville, and Bismark, I am coming your way this fall! Please see my event page for dates. I will update the information as the events get closer. Thank you for being part of this very special Hands Free Revolution community. I cherish every single one of you!
Dear Rachel, once again your words hit the soft spot in my heart – I am too going through a difficult time with my partner, in fact we are planning to have a good long chat tonight to let it all out. I’ve been a difficult partner for a long time now, not always considerate of his needs, maybe focusing too much on my children, battling with my own demons. And he’s been always there, always helping, always trying to understand, but for the past few weeks he started to drift away, maybe even give up. I am really hoping that it’s not too late and that I can still rebuild our once great relationship. Thank you, your words strengthened me.
Thank you for your truths, Emila. I hold them lovingly in my hands this morning. May you find the words that bring peace, connection, and hope to your relationship tonight.
Thank you again
I needed your words this morning. Thank you for your transparency. Thank you for pouring love and wisdom into my life. You are a treasure.
Teresa, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you are here, reading my words, and walking beside me. It means so much.
I find it easiest to be grumpy with the ones closest to me, the ones who are stuck with me, and the ones who I do the most for and have given up the most for. We run a dog and horse rescue and sanctuary, which has taken over almost every aspect of our lives. Instead of blaming those who didn’t fulfill their responsibilities to their pets, and those who ask us to take just one more without volunteering or donating or helping us with those we are responsible for, we all find it easiest to take our irritation and exhaustion out on each other. I need some concrete ways to promote team building, not grumpieness among my rescue partners.
Dear Debbie – Thank you so much for the incredible GIFT you are giving these precious animals! My daughters and I have been volunteering at a cat shelter for a couple months and when we leave on Sundays after cleaning and caring for the animals, we are very tired. I cannot imagine how you must feel as the person who runs the sanctuary. I imagine you rarely, if ever, get a break. I hope that in the coming days, an unexpected window of relief comes your way. I think that would ease the irritation and exhaustion if you (and your partners) would have a reprieve from time to time. Thank you again for your important and divine work.
I’m convinced that you have the very best Facebook feed of all of the pages that I follow! Your posts there and here on your blog never fail to add value to my day. Thank you so much for your raw honesty and inspiring words. They are appreciated more than you know!
Thank you! What an incredible compliment, Laura! I am honored by it!
I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this post when I read your intro, but think it’s one of your best. I’ll be sharing this because I think there is at least a bit of truth in it for everyone. Thanks and good job ?
Thank you, Shirley! One of my greatest gifts is when a person feels inspired to pass my words on to someone else.
Dear Rachel,
Your words are inspirational, thank you!?
Thank you, Andrea!
Oh, wow. This takes my breath away. The slippers by the door – that would make me cry (and my husband still clicks downstairs in his shoes and it Drives. Me. Crazy). And the notion that it’s those who love us when we’re at our snippiest and most impatient … well, that’s true for me, too, and I need to say thank you, and I’m going to do that right now. Thanks for reminding me of what matters. xox
Thank you, my friend. It feels comforting to hear you say, ME TOO. It feels good to hear you say my words inspired loving actions. So grateful for your companionship on this journey.
My husband definitely deserves better from me. Thanks for your encouraging and inspiring words. And thanks for being vulnerable and keeping it real to help the rest of us!
Brynn – Thank you for stepping beside me in the light of realness. It feels good to have others beside me as I grow and improve.
I have been down lately thinking about how I need to give up on a particular person in my life. I get hurt over and over again, and I am ready to wipe my hands clean, FINALLY….but then i read your last poem and realize that this person is hurting – they do not need one more person who abandons them.
Rachel, thank you for reminding me that I always have a choice in how I interpret the world around me.
Much love….and I am so excited to hear you will be in San Francisco….only 3 hours from me!! I will be there!!
Jenny
Oh my gosh, I am so excited about the prospect of meeting you! And to think that you would drive 3 hours to see me! What a gift! I cannot wait!
Thank you for sharing what the poem inspired in you. It is generous & loving of you to consider how their pain/trial may be impacting their attitude and actions towards you. If you continue to be hurt by this person and find his/her words or actions are detrimental to your life, there may come a time when it’s necessary to step back and protect your heart, mind, body, & soul.
Rachel, thank you for the reminder. A gentle push to the heart to awaken some of the kindness, care and respect that may have been taking a little nap.
Thank you for your insight, transparency, and your amazing ability to communicate! You are a blessing.
Good Morning Rachel,
Your post this morning hit home. I have the best husband in the world. Loving, considerate, REASONABLE to a fault, best father, always makes me see the other side of things and yes, loves me unconditionally at my worst. This morning, I woke up and saw a counter full of clean pots and pans, bigger bowls that don’t fit in the dishwasher, etc. All clean and set to dry on the counter. What did I see? I saw that he forgot to turn on the dishwahser. And that’s what I said as my good morning to him, -Ugh, you forgot to turn on the dishwasher!!” He just said, -oh sorry, hon I’ll turn it on before I leave this morning.”
Then I stopped for a minute and channeled my inner Rachel and thought, -Trina, be grateful. He saw that you were busy with the kids so he did the fricken’ dishes!!”
So when he came out of the shower, I said -You know what? What I should have said was thank you. Thank you for taking the time to do the dishes and for realizing that I was busy helping the kids with homework. I really appreciate what you did to help keep the house running”
He gave me a hug and a kiss and said, “Just doing my part!”
So please know, that YOU are making a difference in my life! #rachelmyrockstar
Thank you! Love Trina
Oh my goodness, Trina! I love this story so much!!! I love your honesty about your first response and the HOPE that came with your second response. I love that you showed us that second responses are possible & they are powerful! This is such an important contribution to my post & it will undoubtedly make someone’s responses (first, second, third … or more) more loving!
Hi Trina,
Just want to say, thanks for sharing this story of your humble ‘second response’. I’m sure he really appreciated your words. 🙂
Love,
Melanie
Thank you Rachel for sharing something that is both personal and universal. Thank house for giving us a glimpse of you and your relationships and your loved ones, not so that we can compare, but so that we can share and know that we are not alone in our daily struggles big and small.
I’m fortunate and am about to take off for five days holiday with my husband, the one who loves me at my worst times and my best times, to celebrate my 40th birthday. This post has helped me because it’s been stressful here in Brussels since the terrorist attacks and I’ve been on edge, but simultaneously reassuring my children that we are safe… My husband has been the rock – steadfast in this turbulent time and supportive of the various ways I am dealing with my fears and worry.
Your shoe metaphor is so apt: seeing family’s shoes – the rapidly kicked of sneakers of my speedy son, the carefully arranged blue Nikes of my little girl, my Dad’s Birkenstock sandals that he wears almost year round – here because he is visiting and babysitting while we go away for this trip – and my husbsnd’s slippers: like him, steadfast, and happily, luckily, always there.
Mine are there too – scattered like my son’s shoes – and indeed they help me see that I am there – always there – for my loved ones and that this is a special gift for me and for them.
Thank you again. Keep writing, please.
Thank you for sharing your own heart & life. It moved me. I really loved what you said about your shoes: “Mine are there too – scattered like my son’s shoes – and indeed they help me see that I am there – always there – for my loved ones and that this is a special gift for me and for them.” That is an important reminder for me & I am taking it to heart today. Wishing you a blessed & restorative time away with your beloved.
Thank you for your thoughtful words Rachel. It’s lovely to be part of this community.
I discovered you through my daughter, who LOVES your books, then my sister who also LOVES your books and writings, as I do. So please sign me up so I can keep your words close to me, also. You are doing a wonderful job!!! Please keep going!!# and Thank you.Julie
Your posts usually leave me smacking my forehead-duh-you make it sound so easy! But your honesty in this post makes me feel less alone in having the very same struggles. This piece turned me from “my husband doesn’t care about my half marathon on Sunday because he booked a surgery for the exact start time of the race” to “he was willing to come in for an emergency surgery on a Sunday morning to give the best care for a patient”. I heard a speaker (Andy Stanley) say that we should always assume the best intentions of our spouses, and so often I am too selfish to give of myself to the patients he serves without complaining about it. This has got to be one of your most beautiful and poignant pieces of writing. Thank you very much!
I get so emotional when I read your posts about your husband. You and I have discussed this before (;o)) – and you will know how much I need to remember how much my husband does for me and my children. We think we’re the fragile ones – we bear the children, we bear the scars, our careers take the hit, we spend endless days alone with small children….but our husbands are the solid rocks that allow us to live this happy, challenging life! Instead of being grateful I get angry with him for the things he forgets to do, or doesn’t do the way I wanted him to do them. It’s hard to be a great parent and also a great partner – sometimes I feel like I just can’t be everything that everyone needs me to be. Sometimes someone has to bear the brunt of my bad mood and exhaustion – and it’s usually my husband. He deserves so much more love than he receives from me. I forget how much he gives – it is a lot! This post has reminded me (again) to go home and be grateful tonight. Thank you Rachel. We’re so lucky. xxxxx
I come from a large family with big personalities, many differences and lots of love. Once one of nieces who is at constant odds with her brother said, “it’s easy for you. You get along with all of your siblings.” I laughed and told her that we had many disagreements over the years, some of them really hurtful. She asked how I did it. I smiled and said, “you love them anyway.” So, yes, yes, yes to this.
Thank you so much for this post – this exact topic has been on my heart. I am grateful for your willingness to share yours.
Also very excited to see you are going to be in the Bay Area! On my calendar!
Thank you, dear Heather. I look forward to hugging you, friend!
Unconditional love, the best gift to give and to receive! Thank you for your amazing writing! I bought my ticket for your speaking event in Denver! I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you in person. You have changed my life in ways that I am unable to explain and look forward to saying thank you in person.
YAY! I am looking forward to seeing you!
Dearest Rachel,
What a timely message for me, to appreciate my Loved One who loves me, even though I’ve been so unkind to him. After mean words were spoken from me to my husband, I read this post. I am humbled. Thank you for being vulnerable to us and showing us your heart. Thank you for writing towards a topic you often do not (marriage), as I have found it very beneficial and healing. Thank you, most of all, for the reminder to be the most kind to those who love us even at our worst. What a gift– to be loved at our worst, to be given another chance when we are not deserving of it, to be forgiven when we think we are unforgivable. Just like you, I am thankful — “It is not too late. Thank goodness, it is not too late.” I am still breathing; therefore, I can CHANGE, and I will change NOW.
Only love today,
Melanie
Thank you so much for your eloquent words. You make such a difference in so many lives and I cannot wait to hear you speak in Denver.
Hi Rachel – My top Loved One and I have just embarked on a mission to repair years of what you have described here. It is easy to let the self-focused thoughts brew, and hard to notice changes or contributions in a partner sometimes, especially when you feel like you are doing so much. I have been meaning to buy your “choose love” bracelet as a daily reminder and this post is another reminder to do that. Thank you for writing about this, and everything else you do.
I so love your blog posts. I saved the one you wrote on 12/15/15 about acceptance of your husband, and so rang true to me. This blog post reminded me of it.
I also had found this article and my husband and I started with #3, tremendous change!
http://verilymag.com/2015/07/relationship-advice-keeping-marriage-strong-appreciating-your-spouse
Rachel, thank you for this post – for allowing us to see YOU at your best and worst as you learn to love your people. I can relate to the experience that you describe: getting so caught up in our own stories and struggles that we miss what’s going on for the people we love. As Madeleine L’Engle writes, “We all fail each other … especially those we love most dearly … but wasn’t Jesus Christ singularly unsuccessful with a great many people?”
Hoping that you’re fully recovered from your fall and grateful for all that you are and all that you give. xo
Rachel,
I cannot thank you enough for your words today. I recently had to put my beloved cat down – a cat who was my only family, before I made my own family. Ever since, I have been exceptionally short-fused, snippy, impatient, sad.
My boys are so little, so young… – one is three; the other just turned two. They have stood in the wake of my loss, and have loved me anyway. When I could barely find the strength to take care of myself, let alone the two of them, they stood by me and still told me they loved me. Even though I had snapped at them. Even though my words were hurtful. When they wake tomorrow, I will hug them tightly, and always remember your words. I will be the best version of myself. And I owe you a big thank you.
What an amazing, beautiful reminder of the life we share in all its ups and downs with those that matter most. I thank you so much, Hands Free Mama. You keep it real while reminding me of the blessings and wonder xx
I have never, ever regretted taking the time to read one of your posts! But I couldn’t post my comment here until I texted my husband! They are truly the unsung heroes and we count on them (just like they count on us) in numerous ways! Your beautiful words never cease to remind me of the most basic things in life, bring tears to my eyes and ground me! As always, thanks for all you do here, on FB and in your wonderful books! I’m looking forward to your next work of art in whatever form it may take, sweet woman!
I wanted to share a quote I’ve held onto a long time that relates to your lovely post. It’s by Warren Buffett. He recounts the best advice he ever received: “The power of unconditional Love. I mean, there is no power on earth like unconditional love. And I think that if you offered that to your child, I mean, you are 90 % on the way home. There may be days when you don’t feel like it~it’s not uncritical love; that’s a different animal~but to know you can always come back, that’s huge in life. That takes you a long way. And I would say that every parent out there that can extend that to their child at an early age, it’s going to make for a better human being”.
Love reading your work!
Oh that is an extraordinary quote, Amy. I can see why you hold on to it. Thank you for passing it on to us so we can all be inspired and enlightened by those powerful truths.
Oh Rachel! This has touched me in such a deep way. Why do your words always come at the right time?! I just had a conversation with my husband two days ago that reminded me to walk in his shoes. I’ve been so low as we spend month after month trying to conceive our second child. It just isn’t happening and I feel so alone, much like you explain. He will never understand my perspective on this journey and the hormones fluctuating during the month. But, I will never understand what it’s like to support me through this. He does so much for us that I just wasn’t recognizing in those deep, dark moments. I’ve been feeling extra low as the due date approaches for a miscarriage that happened in September. During our conversation I realized we’re also approaching the two year mark of my husband’s mother’s unexpected death. Of course his mind is with her and I wasn’t even looking at things that way. I rarely share emails like this with him but I’m getting ready to text him “You Love Them Anyway.” I know he will appreciate it just as much I did. Much love Rachel!! Thanks for all you do! xoxo
Thank you for sharing your heart, your life, and your struggle so courageously, Lori. I am so sorry for the pain & uncertainty you are enduring! I am grateful to know my words offered you a way to see from your husband’s perspective and you used them to thank him. What a gift to me. I will be thinking about you both & hoping for good news. With love.
Rachel,
Your words are truly a gift — always the exact thing I need to hear at the right moment. You’ve helped me and my family more than you will ever know. Thank you, and please don’t ever stop writing!
This is amazing. I was looking for something else in my mailbox and I saw this link I had saved a while back, and I love the name of the blog I saved: The Vacation Moments of Everyday Life…. and clicked on it today. Big Mistake. It made me cry. At work. In my cube. with no tissues. Cry. At Work. Corporate America. Wow. Thanks so much for this blog post!
This is so beautiful, Rachel! As I read it I got teary eyed, not because I had a book deadline (though I aspire to this if God ever would allow it!) and knew how you felt in that respect, but because I have the call of a writer as well and feel lonely too sometimes or like my closest friends and family don’t get it. It is in those times I find my rest and comfort in God and it is like He shows me through that, how He really wants that closeness with me, that #1 spot in my heart anyways. As I read this, I recalled doing almost the exact same thing recently, having a bad dream and feeling weight of things and wanting to run
If I was your neighbor I’d be bringing you cookies or a fruit basket (probably doing the mama hen things and checking on you too much LOL!!!) God bless our husbands for serving us in the way they do, and thanks to the Lord for his mercies and how he softens our hearts and allows our eyes to be opened. Sorry this reply is so long but I just so happened to have a moment to check my email and though I don’t have time to read near half of them, this one caught my eye and I wondered how you had been doing.
The first time I ever heard of your ministry and the message God gave you was on Focus on the Family. It is something I listen to (podcasts while doing chores!!) almost daily now, ya know – the seasons of life and all. I truly appreciate all your dedication to your book writing and sharing things with us mamas. Keep up the hard work and know you are loved!!!
Wow! What timing! I myself have been feeling that aloneness writing my blog and just made the difficult decision to take a break from it. Love this post from you! Great perspective.
Rachel,
This is such a beautiful story. Thank you so much for your honesty… we all have those moments, though sometimes they are hard to talk about. It’s wonderful how you took the reminder of his slippers as a moment to pause and count your blessings. I love and appreciate your words… they remind me to stop my busyness, my perfectionism, and look around at what matters most (1 faithful man and 3 beautiful babies). Thank you.
Thank you, Laura. I appreciate you & your presence here on this journey so very much.
I love your words. I can’t express how much (every single post) your words speak to my heart. Thank you for your openess & advice. Your books are my favorites & I continually go back to them to read over & over again. Often you put to words what my heart feels. Thank you!!
This means everything, Jess. Thank you.
Rereading again because it came up that this post spoke to me 2 years ago and it’s again wonderful to read as a teacher in a challenging portion of the year with teenagers we love and want to send into the world as their best selves. Thank you for helping me find my inner calm and encouraging me. 🙂
Thank you, Rachel! This blesses me today!