Beautiful post ! loved it 💗The line about the difference being the adult in the room, and what that adult decided to see first, that is the whole philosophy right there. I have watched that same thing play out with women navigating major financial transitions. The ones who move forward are almost never the ones with the most resources. They are the ones who had someone reflect a different version of possible back to them. Thirty years of that work is not small. Not even a little.
Thank you so much for your comments. 30 years is a lot of years but weirdly feels like just yesterday at the same time. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. It feels so freeing to be able to express these thoughts in writing.
That feeling of yesterday and thirty years at the same time is exactly it. And yes, writing it down does something different than just knowing it. It makes it real in a way it was not before. Glad I found your work.
This comment is everything. I try each day to bring love and beauty to those around me. It is amazing to see this expressed in print. Thank you so very much!
What a beautiful, powerful essay, Barb. NO child should be asked to carry so much, and yet they do. All of the time. Thank goodness that some have access to support in people just like you. I love how you are planning to use the lessons you've learned about resiliency and the human spirit to help women in midlife navigate this season of profound change and evolution. I'll be here - ready to read more!
Thank you Laurie. This message means a lot to me. I have always worked in the shadows doing the work that is unseen. This is honestly the first time I am letting the world into my thoughts, and experiences. It is both slightly terrifying and freeing simultaneously. I really appreciate your encouragement.
I can relate to the slightly terrifying and freeing! I feel that way every time I post anything at all, and I've been writing on Substack for close to a year! But you have such a unique perspective, I think we will all be better for learning more through your lens. Keep going!
Thank you for this insight and for the support. We are all children in that dark place inside ourselves. Often trying to fill the spaces that were left unresolved or unfinished by life.
I am so incredibly moved by your article. This was a real eye opener and made me think so deeply. You’re an earth angel and have obviously made such a positive impact in so many lives x
Thank you so much for putting this piece into the world, and thank you for taking the time to read my own work as well.
Reading your words felt like taking a deep, grounding breath. Having worked with children myself for about seven years, your reflections hit incredibly close to home. I used to joke—though it was entirely true—that the hardest part of the job was never working with the kids; it was working with the adults.
Children have this profound, instinctual way of showing up to life exactly as they are, with all their bruises and messy transitions, without the heavy armor we adults tend to build up over time. They mirror the human spirit in its purest form. The adults are usually the ones carrying the rigid expectations and the overthinking that complicate the healing space.
There is something so sacred about the way kids just "show up anyway," and your thirty years of witnessing and holding space for that resilience is an incredible testament to your patience and heart. Your piece is a beautiful reminder that growth isn't about a flawless environment; it’s about the brave, daily act of choosing to be present.
Thank you for sharing your heart and the decades of wisdom these children have mirrored back to you. It is a true privilege to read your work.
Thank you for your kind comments! Children definitely show up as who they are with no qualms about it. I appreciate your recognition of my work and your support.
Beautiful post ! loved it 💗The line about the difference being the adult in the room, and what that adult decided to see first, that is the whole philosophy right there. I have watched that same thing play out with women navigating major financial transitions. The ones who move forward are almost never the ones with the most resources. They are the ones who had someone reflect a different version of possible back to them. Thirty years of that work is not small. Not even a little.
Thank you so much for your comments. 30 years is a lot of years but weirdly feels like just yesterday at the same time. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. It feels so freeing to be able to express these thoughts in writing.
That feeling of yesterday and thirty years at the same time is exactly it. And yes, writing it down does something different than just knowing it. It makes it real in a way it was not before. Glad I found your work.
It truly does. I am grateful for your presence here. Thank you.
Substack figured something out that most platforms missed. The girl friend room .I am so glad you are here in this one
Thank you for this beautiful piece Barb. Your voice continues to bring beauty and goodness to the world.🤍
This comment is everything. I try each day to bring love and beauty to those around me. It is amazing to see this expressed in print. Thank you so very much!
You are so welcome!🤍
What a beautiful, powerful essay, Barb. NO child should be asked to carry so much, and yet they do. All of the time. Thank goodness that some have access to support in people just like you. I love how you are planning to use the lessons you've learned about resiliency and the human spirit to help women in midlife navigate this season of profound change and evolution. I'll be here - ready to read more!
Thank you Laurie. This message means a lot to me. I have always worked in the shadows doing the work that is unseen. This is honestly the first time I am letting the world into my thoughts, and experiences. It is both slightly terrifying and freeing simultaneously. I really appreciate your encouragement.
I can relate to the slightly terrifying and freeing! I feel that way every time I post anything at all, and I've been writing on Substack for close to a year! But you have such a unique perspective, I think we will all be better for learning more through your lens. Keep going!
I appreciate your encouragement. Thank you!
So touching. Deep within, we are all children somehow. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you for this insight and for the support. We are all children in that dark place inside ourselves. Often trying to fill the spaces that were left unresolved or unfinished by life.
I am so incredibly moved by your article. This was a real eye opener and made me think so deeply. You’re an earth angel and have obviously made such a positive impact in so many lives x
Thank you so much for this comment. It makes me feel so seen and appreciated. ❤️
Thanks for writing this ❤️🩹 you're doing important work
Thank you for saying so! I feel like there’s not enough I can do.
this was amazing! I really never thought about this. Thank you for writing it.
Thank you so much for putting this piece into the world, and thank you for taking the time to read my own work as well.
Reading your words felt like taking a deep, grounding breath. Having worked with children myself for about seven years, your reflections hit incredibly close to home. I used to joke—though it was entirely true—that the hardest part of the job was never working with the kids; it was working with the adults.
Children have this profound, instinctual way of showing up to life exactly as they are, with all their bruises and messy transitions, without the heavy armor we adults tend to build up over time. They mirror the human spirit in its purest form. The adults are usually the ones carrying the rigid expectations and the overthinking that complicate the healing space.
There is something so sacred about the way kids just "show up anyway," and your thirty years of witnessing and holding space for that resilience is an incredible testament to your patience and heart. Your piece is a beautiful reminder that growth isn't about a flawless environment; it’s about the brave, daily act of choosing to be present.
Thank you for sharing your heart and the decades of wisdom these children have mirrored back to you. It is a true privilege to read your work.
Thank you for your kind comments! Children definitely show up as who they are with no qualms about it. I appreciate your recognition of my work and your support.
Excellent article. Thank you for articulating the idea of mid-life women becoming.
Thank you Carole!
Thank you for the feedback Carol. I appreciate it.