Healing has taught me that life isn't about waiting for everything to be perfect before we allow ourselves to enjoy it. Sometimes it's fellowship, patience, gratitude, or making life a little easier. It's letting go of what we thought life was supposed to look like and embracing what it actually is.

For many, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer filled with cookouts, travel, laughter, and time spent with family and friends. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the long weekend, but it is also important to remember why this day exists in the first place.

Working in downtown Savannah has changed the way I see history. Beneath the beauty of historic homes, cobblestone streets, and preserved landmarks are layers of untold stories, exclusion, pain, resilience, and survival. This week’s From the Heart blog reflects on how the hidden layers within cities, families, and mothers alike shape the way we heal, grow, and move through the world. 💙💚

Real healing begins the moment we stop romanticizing dysfunction, stop protecting unhealthy cycles, and stop forcing ourselves to live inside the Disney version of our lives just because it’s prettier than reality.

There comes a point where you stop reacting—not because you don’t notice, but because you’ve grown beyond needing to respond. Protecting your peace isn’t passive—it’s intentional. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause, take a breath… and let it pass.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how often I’ve allowed outside voices, other people’s emotions, and unnecessary demands to dictate my peace and shape how I respond. Over time, that kind of living becomes exhausting.

Healing is deeply personal, but not everyone is comfortable with that. Sometimes, when you say you’re healing, people hear something else.

Healing is deeply personal, but not everyone is comfortable with that. Sometimes, when you say you’re healing, people hear something else.

For weeks, months, sometimes even years, we carry emotional weight quietly. We keep showing up, doing what needs to be done, taking care of our responsibilities and the people we love.

Healing isn’t just about what was done to us, it’s also about what we may have done, said, avoided, or carried that caused pain for someone else. For many of us, those wounds show up in the relationships closest to us….our siblings.

For weeks, months, sometimes even years, we carry emotional weight quietly. We keep showing up, doing what needs to be done, taking care of our responsibilities and the people we love.