In continuation of my celebration of mothers, I’d like to introduce you to another mother who has significantly impacted my life. Meet Momma Simone. She is my boyfriend’s mother, but in the years that he and I have been dating, she has become a second mother to me.

In this week leading up to Mother’s day, I’d like to dedicate the next few days to celebrate the mothers in my life, starting with my own mother. Meet my mom, Nancy. I’m like my mom in many ways, and everyone says that we look just like one another. If that really is the case, I’d say that I’m pretty lucky because I think my mom is pretty great.

So it is with the messes we find around us and in the hearts of those around us. It is one little thing being knocked down at a time, one little hurtful word on top of the next, that can leave a person or place in shambles.

Community is messy, but it is so worth the effort.