Katie, apologies for taking a few days to comment on this beautiful post. I saw that it was about metta - an important practice for me, as a Buddhist - and set it aside because I wanted to wait until I had enough time and space to read and appreciate what you've shared here. So wonderful! And I so appreciate you putting it out into the world. Your explanation/description is spot on. And ... by the way ... I named my middle child Metta!!