Crystal the Artist

I had a dream this morning and although I don't have time to write it all down, I don't want to forget the key takeaways. It showed me that the most attractive thing to me that I find in people is their compassion for others. I will always stand with those who choose to see humanity without judgment. It is so hard sometimes, you know, like when anger is justified. But the bottom line is we're all human. Whatever differences there are between us and the horrendous neighbor of ours, we can be thankful for what we have been given in life that helps us act better, do better, live better AND we can acknowledge that other people's actions are evidence that we live in a multifaceted world where people live through extremely different experiences that shape them into who they are. I don't blame you if you won't back the actions of those who take no responsibility for shaping their minds and hearts to do more good in the world, but at least don't be a jerk to those w...

My oldest child graduated yesterday. The mother behind me in the stands cried (a lot). I could relate to the tears, but I also couldn’t be more happy for graduation. I do admit that I cried too (briefly) when the speaker recognized two students that didn’t make it to graduation. There is no worse thought than losing a child in this life. It’s paralyzing to me and incredibly sad to think there are parents in this world who have felt that loss. I can’t imagine.   I haven’t shared a lot about my parenting journey with my oldest child. It has been an incredible 18+ years of dancing in delight and wading through sorrow. In some ways, I feel like this child and I have parented each other. We have grown up together, experiencing life, and learning through each other's eyes. I’m just going to break the ice and say that HE has become one of my best friends and something like a third parent to my other children. As the oldest child being raised by a single mother, my son has grown into a car...