"I'm not being optimistic. I'm just paying attention."

Belonging is badass.

“You know what? People are just so good!” So exclaimed my dear friend in response to a story¹ I told as we very belatedly celebrated my 55th birthday.²

People are just so good.

I see evidence of people’s goodness every day. I also feel the effects of the cultural tide pulling us in the opposite direction.

I’m not immune to cynicism. My naturally stubborn hope only goes so far, especially when I’m tired and vulnerable. And there’s a particular form of vulnerability that comes with being the parent of adults.

One of my kids is working through some hard stuff right now — stuff they’re handling with dogged courage, but it’s exhausting. I’m trying to balance offering loving support with maintaining a respectful distance, but there’s no line between these two things, is there? Right now, the support my kid seems to need most is my loving silence. It’s damn hard to know how to show up.

Oh, who am I kidding? There is no knowing.

THERE IS NO KNOWING. (I should get this tattooed on my forearm.)