Walking Into New Chapters: A Week of Joy, Loss, and Unshakable Purpose

 Walking Into New Chapters: A Week of Joy, Loss, and Unshakable Purpose

This past week has been a rollercoaster — one of those weeks that shakes you, lifts you, and leaves you feeling everything at once. I’ve found myself holding both joy and grief in the same breath. And maybe that’s the most honest part of life: how it never happens in neat, tidy chapters. The pages turn whether we’re ready or not.

Let me start with the brightest moment — my son graduated 6th grade.

Not only did he graduate, he walked away with the science award, surprising a whole lot of people. But not me. I've always known there’s something in him — a quiet brilliance, a spark of curiosity and drive that doesn’t need to be loud to make a statement. Watching him accept that award, I felt my heart nearly burst. This was more than just recognition — it was a sign. He’s stepping into his own light, and middle school is just the beginning of a journey filled with new challenges, milestones, and big moments.

I’m so proud of him. I’m proud of how he carries himself, how he’s growing into someone who asks questions, thinks deeply, and leads with his heart. I can’t wait to see where he goes next.

But as life gave me that joy, it also handed me a painful goodbye.

This weekend, I lost a very close friend — Ry. And it hurts. Ry wasn’t just a friend. He was the kind of person who could read me like a book — even the chapters I tried to keep quiet. He was proud of me in a way that felt rare and real. He saw every obstacle I’ve overcome, every step I’ve taken — and he honored that.

One thing that’s stuck with me — one of the things that just broke me — was something he said about my boyfriend. He said my man is lucky to have such a gem like me as his girl. That... that brought the tears. Because Ry always had this way of reminding me of my worth, even when I couldn’t see it myself.

I miss him deeply. But I know he’s at peace now. And I know he’d want me to keep going, keep loving, keep fighting for what matters.

Speaking of that fight — another powerful moment came as I found myself reading beautiful letters and emails from parents I stood beside during the 3.5-month battle to keep the Dever School open. That wasn’t easy for me — stepping back after pouring my heart into that fight. But the words those parents wrote? They were everything. One wrote that I taught them how to be a better advocate for their child. That I helped them find their voice. That hit hard — in the best way. Because that’s what it was all about. We were never just fighting for a building. We were fighting for our kids, our teachers, our community. And we did it together. We showed what love looks like in action.

That team effort — that sense of unity and family — is something I’ll never forget.

So, what’s next for me?

I’ll be stepping into the role of Dever Lead for its final year. Because I made a promise. And when I make a promise, I keep it. I owe that to myself, to the community, and to the mission we started together.

And after that?

It’s time. Time to honor the promises I made to both the men who believed in me — my son who has so much more to explore and my amazing handsome boyfriend- who always tells me how proud he is of me. 

This is a new journey. One filled with unknowns, yes — but also with love, purpose, and the kind of resilience that only comes from living all the way through your joy and your grief.

Here’s to my son — the future scientist with a heart full of wonder.

Here’s to my boyfriend — my anchor, my compass, my quiet strength.

Here’s to the Dever community — the heart of our fight and the proof that family isn't always about blood.

And here’s to what’s next — because I’m ready for it.