Who I Was Before

My counselor is a gracious, compassionate woman who is smart and confident. She can follow any rabbit trail, remember where I left off, listen carefully, and show heaping amounts of empathy and righteous indignation.

Plus, she's 5'10" and wears sassy heels without apology. This, I love.

"Tricia, tell me who you were before December 23. What was true of you?"

I thought for a bit. Tears came faster than words.

"I was productive.

I made a list, and I crossed things off.

I was on the go.

I didn't call myself a stay-at-home mom;

I was a stay-in-the-van mom.

I loved an adventure.

I was ready.

I was an encourager.

I was confident.

I was brave."

She listened. She noted my list.

"You will be all those things again, Tricia. You will. That girl is in there. She's just hiding for a while. You'll be that girl again."

I'll be that girl again.