When you lose someone in the family, the truth of life feels close. Not exactly knowable (because tradegy) but it's nearby, like you could reach out and touch what really matters.

If only you could think.

There have been hours when so much noise filled the home that I thought I would lose my mind. Other times, all of that energy was a comfort.

But there is something knowable in those moments when everyone goes silent at the same time. Someone sighs and everyone feels it together. We look out the windows, down at our hands, into someone's elses eyes. No words are needed, we just know. Or maybe we know nothing. This is all that matters. This moment.

I am a therapist, and heck if all of my education and experience feels mostly useless right now. Be present. That is the advice, the tool, the whole thing. Even the kids in the room know that. So do the dogs.