VOID

Well, hi there!

A very happy Monday (or whatever day of the week it might be when you decide to read this)!

We are just one week away from the last day of the third month of 2025 and also my 300th blog post!

That definitely deserves a resounding…

SAY WHHHHHATTTTTT?!?!

Anyhoo, a HUGE thank you to each and every one of you for continuing to come with me on this journey–one that I started August 28, 2018.

That is something else that deserves a resounding…

SAY WHHHHHATTTTTT?!?!

To tell you the truth, I had no idea when I started, but I fact checked and went back to my Instagram and first post to confirm.

This has been an almost 7 year journey!

Wow.

Thank you so much for continuing to read, sharing your inspiration, and working together to keep a little love and kindness alive in our world.

And next week, post 300 comes at you!

What will I be writing?!

Well, I guess you will just have to come back and see!

Get ready!

I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems like as I get older, I become more emotional about everything.

I feel like there are moments I have watching movies, TV shows, reading books, or experiencing moments in real-life that get me misty eyed/or full on waterworks.

Just me?

I would like to point out that I did just type into Google:

“Do you cry more often as you get older?”

To which, Google/AI was so kind to confirm with the following:

While there isn’t conclusive research definitively stating that people cry more as they age, some individuals, including men, may report becoming more emotional and sensitive, potentially crying more often, as they age.

Got it, Google.

On brand.

This checks out.

A few things that have made me emotional over the last couple of weeks.

1. Watching Anastasia for the first time. Not sure how I never saw this before, but goodness gracious me…what a good movie! I can’t wait to see this on the stage at the Fulton in a month! The story, the music…everything. Glorious.
2. Sticking with the Disney movie theme…watching Elemental also made me a misty eyed mess. I don’t want to spoil it if you haven’t watched it, so just do yourself a favor and stream it. Honestly, it made me feel every single emotion and was so well done and relevant to every day life.
3. At work, our Team is currently doing a book club and reading Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. In the opening chapters of the book, Will recounts a story when he was young and growing up and his mom fell down the stairs. And because his dad was working late and he didn’t have the strength to help her up, Will grabbed a few blankets and laid with her to fall asleep. Talk about gut punch. That hit me right in the heart.
4. This past Saturday, during a shift at the pharmacy, I witnessed a woman in her 80’s get emotional because a medication she desperately needed had not been called in for her to pick-up. She had just spent time in the ER due to some health conditions and you could tell she was exhausted. She needed the medication and the doctor’s office was closed. Her voice had fear in it and I thought she was going to start crying. In the moment, there was little we could do, but it just really got to me because she was panicked, tired, and at a loss for something she really needed. It just made me think how many people in our world have to be their own advocate for things and how the medical system in our Country is less than desirable. I’m happy to report that she was able to get the medicine after calling an emergency hotline and I was thrilled to be the one to hand her the medicine at the register. She looked relieved, but witnessing the stress and panic she experienced with the whole ordeal is something that will stick with me for quite some time.
5. Having the realization that getting a text message from my mom asking if I will be coming for Sunday lunch and also for my suggestions on what to eat is truly special. I was with my friend Abby in OCMD the other week and while traveling home, I mentioned receiving this text from my mom and what it said and Abby emphasized how special of a text it was. I never thought about it too deeply before, but Abby was right. Receiving a message about Sunday dinner and what to eat is incredibly special. When you think about it, it means so much more on a deeper level. That text is about love, connection, and special times that are shared on a weekly basis with both my parents and family. Not everyone has parents that will ask them what they want to eat and do will do their best to make that wish come true. I realize now receiving that text is just about as great as the hugs that come from my mom after those dinners take place.

In all of these emotional moments I’ve had over the last couple of weeks, I think the critical part I’ve come to realize is that there are voids that many people around us have to embrace and navigate daily.

Not everyone might have the home, family, and love that Anastasia yearned for as she took the journey to find out about her past.

Not everyone might have the connection and love Ember and Wade share in Elemental.

Not everyone has the opportunity to share in experiences of love and connection with family over a meal around the table.

Not everyone might have the support system to help them navigate tragedy, emergencies, or the medical confusion of life.

The voids that people experience these days are very real.

I hope that if you are experiencing or feeling a void in life, that you find a way to cope with it–something to fill it with. Keep searching and find what is best for you.

And I hope that if you know or witness someone who you think might be experiencing a void, that you show compassion, grace, and kindness to them. Help them navigate it, give them a smile, take a deep breath with them, and share a word of encouragement.

The void of love and compassion that many in our world are facing with experiences day in and day out is a very easy one that we can try to combat with that simple gesture of kindness.

See you next week for post 300!

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!