The Ties That Hold

This week, I’m holding space for gratitude, the quiet kind. The kind that doesn’t always shout, but hums like a lullaby in the bones. The kind that reminds you that even when the world shakes, there are ties that hold.

🧶 Some are old and frayed, patched together over time.
Like the one between me and my parents. We’ve had our differences, our moments of pain and distance. But this week, they listened, truly listened. Not just to the words, but to the heart behind them. That kind of shift? That’s not small. That’s a deep breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

🐾 Some are soft and furry.
Two of our sweet animals weren’t doing well. And if you know me, you know my animals aren’t just animals. They’re part of our soul-clan. When they hurt, I hurt. But this week… they’re healing. Wiggling tails, brighter eyes, little signs that life is leaning back toward joy. I’ll never take that for granted.

🐷 Some ties are literal – blood ties in muddy hooves.
We reunited a mama pig with her daughter this week. The moment they recognized each other… it hit me. Reunions like that aren’t just physical. They’re spiritual. They say: “I know you. I remember you. You are mine.”

👭 Some ties are stitched back together with forgiveness.
My sister, once distant, once strained by silence, is now my best friend. It didn’t happen overnight. Healing never does. But here we are. We’ve cried, laughed, leaned on each other. And that bond? It feels new and ancient all at once.

💌 Some ties stretch across years and miles.
I reconnected with a friend I hadn’t seen in forever. Time disappeared in her presence. That’s the mark of a true connection. No expiration date. Just a gentle click of two puzzle pieces finding each other again.

💫 And then there are the soul-ties.
The ones we forge with those who choose us, time and time again. My chosen family, my circle of friends, my animal kin, and even the quiet force of you reading this, they remind me every day that love isn’t measured by proximity. It’s measured by presence.