The Happy Places

09/17/2026

09/17/2026

Heading to The Burg

09/13/2026

Hi!

08/26/2026

I’m a daughter. And my mom stayed 65 in my mind for the past 14 years. When I had my daughter, time stood still. My parents contributed to this. My father sheltered us from the fact that mom was paralyzed. I don’t think it ever really sank in until he passed away on June 6th. My first thought was “oh s**t! What are we going to do??!!!” As my brother navigated the first week by her side, they made it work. I sat by gathering my wits. It took a while. I was sick with fear and anxiety. But something kicked in and I decided to try to treat this situation like launching a business. I know. Weird. But I started with a vision. “To give my mom the best year she has had in years.” Not a small task for a paraplegic woman who had come to depend on my dad who suddenly and unexpectedly departed. She was suffering. In survival mode. 2.5 months later, she is starting to thrive. There are tears, but after they dry she is crafting, listening to sound baths instead of sirens on the TV. Daily walks with her side kick, Rocky. Surrounded by plants and flowers. New found treats like iced hot chocolate from Dunkin. The vision is slowly shaping up. It is unconventional, but it is real. For anyone who has become a decision maker or caretaker of your mom, while still honoring their authority, while grieving the loss of another parent, we need a club. A secret society that nobody understands until they’ve lived it. The delicate dance we do. The moment where you can exhale after holding your breath for what seems like an eternity…knowing that you’ll probably be holding it again the next day. Zooming in on her smile in daily pictures sent to me by mom’s new “roomie” Heather. (Thank you Heather !) Wanting to find every note, every recipe, every picture. To hold on to your 65 year old mom baking pies and playing with your daughter. Regretting phone calls you ended too soon or visits you skipped for a dumb meeting. This s**t is as real as it gets. I’ve met so many daughters who have walked or are walking this path now. And I’ve found comfort in our shared stories and an understanding that’s beyond words. Please, reach out if you want to be in this club. 💕

08/21/2026

This was my first week back at work. It feels strange to go back to something you’ve done forever but to feel like a different person. A little over 9 weeks ago I left for Project Mom. It feels like years ago. I’m grateful for my colleagues who made the transition back feel less weird.

08/19/2026

Today, Heather and mom decided it was gardening day. Our family has been through the unimaginable in the last two months. With anything in life, when there is dark, there’s also light. I met a lifelong friend and an amazing human being, who is not just taking care of my mom, but also helping her thrive and find herself again. Heather is getting a lot of joy out of it, which is a benefit to us all. Look for the helpers. They are out there. Trust me.

08/16/2026

I made something delicious 😋

08/15/2026

Cleaning my room and found a little artifact with my dad’s signature smiley face on it.