There is a lot of negativity in the world right now, so I wanted to pause to share a positive in my life.

I made a new friend this month. We're both women, the same age, and we have a lot in common-- at least, that's what she tells me. One very obvious difference to me is that her soul is strong, and beautiful, and kind.

As difficult as things feel where I'm at, her challenges are easily a dozen times more daunting than my own. And still, she makes space for self-care and creating art. She finds moments in her day to check in with me, ask me how I'm doing, and ask me about my life.

There's just something sobering about talking to someone as tenacious as she in the face of the most dire circumstances. Something grounding. It interrupts the doomscrolling and reminds me to stand back up.

I appreciate her very, very much.