Jodi Rae

Earlier this year, I wrote about the house I didn't buy. The one I loved but was afraid to fight mysekf for. The one I let go because self-doubt convinced me I wasn't ready. Life has a funny way of giving us second chances. I bought the house. The moment I signed the offer, something unexpected happened. I didn't feel panic. I didn't wonder if I had made a mistake. I felt relief. Peace. And then... hope. Hope that they would accept my offer. Hope that this little house might become the place...

One simple act can change the course of a family in minutes: A death.... then a shift. That one day, when something changes. You realize you are now part of the oldest generation of your family. There are no more parents or grandparents ahead of you. I am now one of the matriarchs of my family. What was normal for me growing up made me assume that the next generation would naturally do what I did. I thought family traditions, expectations, and the way we showed up for one another would...

January, February and March, felt like proof to me that my life was headed where I wanted it to go. I felt confident in my choices Hope was in my heart Life felt full of possibilities and I was taking them I could see it... My new place A yard Rooms for my girls when they came to visit New flower gardens to plant and enjoy Unpacking my belongings from a year in storage and being excited with each box. I felt confident at work Building a team that was kind, supportive, and showing up for each...