Every time someone asks me how I’m balancing everything, I want to look behind me like, “Who? Me?? Balanced??? Like a stack of perfectly leveled books on your head? Absolutely not.” But I’m still here, still trying, still learning how to carry college, work, bills, chronic illness, relationships, and bi ol’ dreams without dropping myself in the process. That’s what I want this post to feel like: you and I sitting on a porch stoop, sipping something out of a jar, talking about the real stuff that never makes it to Instagram. Let’s dive into this post and discussion together.

When I was a little girl, I loved books. I read them, collected them, even slept with them. But no matter how many I pulled from the library shelves or bought at school book fairs, I rarely found a character who looked like me. Kids deserve mirrors, not just windows, to help them learn to appreciate their uniqueness. Children (and our inner children) are sponges. They absorb messages long before they understand the language. And they also notice when they’re missing. Representation is foundational—not an option. Let’s discuss this important topic in this post. 

For me, rocking chairs represent stability, comfort, dependability and rest. A rocking chair is never “just a chair.” A rocking chair carries the sound of late night stories, the comfort of homemade meals, and the weight of tired arms holding a baby who refuses to sleep. It is stillness in motion, a rhythm that says, “I am here for you.” And sometimes, we need to be reminded of the things that are always there, even when we forget their value. Learn more about my children’s debut book where we celebrate the rocking chair and its meaning to our lives.

I share my history with medical trauma in this post and how that first encounter with medical malpractice started a rollercoaster of chronic illness. But I believe that you deserve to be heard not because your pain has to be proven or validated, but because you are a person. And you matter. Read more for practical tips that I personally use for every doctor’s visit to help navigate conversations and, most importantly, speak up for myself unapologetically. I hope you can find comfort in the words I share here.

Fuel the creation of our debut children’s book, Always There, Rocking Chair.

Your gift supports the illustration, production, and distribution of a story that celebrates comfort, resilience, and the rituals that help us heal, reaching children and families for years to come.