I used to think I understood how systems worked.  In my old life, I helped build products. There were timelines, whiteboards, late-night debugging sessions, and the quiet satisfaction of watching something finally function the way it was supposed to.  Now I live in a house with four kids, two cats, a dog, and more laundry...

Some roles in life arrive with a title.  Others unfold quietly.  Somewhere between packing lunches, answering school emails, and noticing the subtle shift in a thirteen-year-old’s tone, I became what people often call the “default parent.”  Not because we decided it formally. Not because I carry everything alone. But because over time, I became the...

Sometimes people think I’m quiet.  I’m not quiet.  I’m just… thinking.  My Brain Is Busy  When you see a cloud, you see a cloud.  When I see a cloud, I see a dragon eating marshmallows.  When you see a worm, you see dirt.  I see “Sir Wiggles the Third.”  My brain is always making stories. It’s kind of loud in there.  Just...

When Laundry Felt Never-Ending  Laundry used to feel like the one chore that never actually ended. Every time we emptied the basket, more clothes somehow appeared. A sock under the bed. A hoodie in a gym bag. A towel we forgot about.  It wasn’t hard. It was just always there.  Since we’re in 7th grade, our days are already...

It’s My Default Answer  People ask how I’m doing almost every day. A friend will ask between classes, a teacher will pause before starting a lesson, and Mama will check in while she’s cooking dinner. Most of the time, I smile and say, “I’m fine.”  It’s not a lie. But it’s not the full picture either. What I really mean is that I’m handling what’s in front of me,...