When it comes to adoption and trauma, or difficult conversations, or potential pain… I don’t tiptoe. I don’t hold my breath. Because it would be exhausting and a disservice. Instead I own my full seat, and I keep my mouth shut while opening my eyes wide. I allow myself to feel. To understand. To remain present in discomfort. But I don’t tiptoe. It would send the wrong message to my beautiful daughter. She is who she is. And I love her. And we allow ourselves to be, present, awake, weird and awesome. 

It’s tempting to hush, to coddle, to turn a blind eye. Because it puts off dealing with whatever discomfort. But growing one healthy layer at a time, takes discipline, vulnerability, determination… so when we don’t know we ask; when we don’t understand we listen.