i was walking past the living room this evening as my sister was watching a television show and i heard one contestant say: “well, i guess a few years ago, i decided i deserved to be seen.” and she went on to explain that she’s spent her life feeling invisible, especially the last few years, after an illness raising her kids and her statements stopped me in my tracks.

she didn’t talk about feeling taken for granted. it wasn’t that. it was the simplicity of “i decided i deserved to be seen.” there wasn’t a specificity as to “where” she deserved to be seen, i.e. work, community, family, personal relationships, it was simply to be seen.

her honesty in that moment. beautiful.