Status Updates From The Grandest Garden

“…my grandmothers made the ultimate sacrifice for me. They knew, in all their wisdom, that they had to destroy the garden that was our lives together, so that I could cultivate my own. They knew they had to cut me loose. Otherwise, I would never have left home.”

Pain & healing all wrapped up together 💔

Witnessing Bella forgive her grandmothers dismissal of her was so healing. Such a small moment in writing, but huge as someone who understood her feelings.

“Gran’s face is the map of Bella’s childhood - every freckle and mole, every sparse eyelash, every crease at the edge of her smile. Her gentle eyes, the kind that comes from knowing all the answers before you even ask the question.”

“I don’t have anything if they erased me from their lives. … I was a part of healing Nan, too. And so, yes, I can make plans and go win awards, but the only people I really care about no longer care about me.”

💔 the way I relate to Bella in this moment is painful.

“Good and bad, easy and difficult - your people are all that you have.”

Starting this on the 16th anniversary of my Grandpa’s passing was for sure a God wink.