I feel for you, my friend. There’s a good reason we live a continent away from my dad. There’s a good reason we lived half a continent away from my mom most of my adult life. (Mom died a year and a half ago. Still adjusting.)

The thing that helps me the most when I have to deal with my family? Remembering that I am not who they think I am. The me they see is doing the work to heal — will always be doing the work to heal. Reminding myself of that also reminds me: “This to will pass. It may pass like a kidney stone or a pain flare, but it will pass.”

Hoping that as each day of this week passes, you can feel the love and care coming your way from your friends here on Medium.