YouAreEnough

Today, I finally went for my mammogram.

As I tend to do, I had already rescheduled my appointment once. Then, last week, the hospital had to reschedule it because of staffing issues. Like many medical appointments, this one was especially anxiety-provoking for me.

But I went.

And as simple as that may sound, I’m proud of myself. Because every appointment I keep, every question I ask, and every recommendation I follow is another way of advocating for my health.

When I visited the Neurofibromatosis (NF1) Clinic earlier this year, the clinician recommended that I have mammograms more frequently than the usual screening schedule. It was there that I learned women with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

If there’s one thing my 12-year mental health journey has taught me, it’s that advocating for my health isn’t optional. I may not be able to control having NF1, but I can control whether I show up for my appointments, ask the difficult questions, and follow the recommendations designed to help protect my health.

I won’t pretend it’s easy. There are days when advocating for my mental health, my NF1, and the neurological challenges I live with daily feels like a full-time job. Some days, I’m simply exhausted by it all. But I’ve learned that caring for myself doesn’t mean I have to feel fearless. It means choosing, whenever I can, to keep showing up, even when anxiety, exhaustion, or frustration tell me not to.

One of the hardest parts of living with a rare condition is that so few people know much about it. Before my own diagnosis, I had never even heard of NF1, let alone known that it could increase the risk of breast cancer, among so many other things.

I’m sharing this in the hope that it reaches someone who needs to hear it. If you have NF1, talk to your healthcare provider about the breast cancer screening recommendations that are right for you. And if you’ve been putting off your own mammogram or other important health screenings, consider this your gentle reminder to make that appointment.

Taking care of ourselves isn’t always easy. Sometimes it means facing our anxiety and showing up anyway.

Caring for ourselves is one of the most powerful forms of self-advocacy we have.

And after a very hot and tiresome day today, I’m celebrating one small victory the best way I know how. Since it also happens to be National Mac and Cheese Day, a bowl of my ultimate comfort food was needed. Sometimes self-care looks like advocating for your health. And sometimes it looks like giving yourself permission to enjoy a little comfort after doing something hard.

#mammagram #selfadvocacy #selfcare #nationalmacandcheeseday #mentalhealth #neurofibromatosis #comfortfood

Hannah spent this past weekend in New York City with friends. Of course, shopping was on the itinerary.

Saturday afternoon, while sightseeing and browsing the shops of Manhattan, she sent a photo to our family chat. It was a picture of her proudly showing off a new hair clip.

But it wasn’t just any ordinary hair clip.

It was in the shape of a little dog.

And not just any little dog.

It looked just like our Maggie (minus the ears as Maggie’s were floppy!), complete with a bow in its hair. Maggie’s signature look. She always wore a bow, no matter the occasion.

The moment Hannah spotted the clip, she said she was instantly overwhelmed with emotion. I completely understood because the second I saw the photo, I felt exactly the same way. For just a moment, it felt like a little sign that Maggie was watching over us. Maybe it was her way of saying, “I’m still here.”

Of course, Hannah had to buy it. And without hesitation, Rachel and I both asked her to pick one up for us, too.

There were only three left.

Exactly what we needed.

To anyone else, it was probably just a cute little hair accessory.

But to us, it became so much more.

When you’re grieving someone you love, you begin to notice the little things. The moments that catch you off guard. The unexpected reminders that somehow bring both tears and smiles.

It also wasn’t lost on me that yesterday I remembered how, just two weeks after we brought Maggie home to her furever family in 2011, we took the kids on a trip to New York City. And now, exactly two weeks after saying goodbye to her, Hannah found herself there again (even though there have been many trips there in the years between).

A coincidence? Maybe.

Or maybe one of those beautiful moments that simply reminds us how love has a way of connecting the dots.

Either way, it felt wonderfully full circle.

We miss Maggie every single day. There are moments when the grief feels impossibly heavy. And then there are the smallest, most unexpected moments that somehow bring comfort; a memory, a familiar place, or even a tiny dog-shaped hair clip with a bow.

Hannah, thank you for being in exactly the right place at exactly the right moment. Whether it was coincidence or something more, you brought home far more than a hair accessory. You brought home a little piece of comfort, a smile through our tears, and a beautiful reminder that Maggie’s love is still finding ways to reach us.

It’s a reminder that love has a way of finding us in the most unexpected places. A little wink from Maggie. A tiny piece of her spirit tucked into our hair, reminding us that while she may no longer be walking beside us, she will always be woven into our hearts.

Sometimes the smallest accessories carry the biggest memories.

And this little hair clip will forever remind us that love never really leaves us.

It simply finds new ways to stay close. ❤️🐾

#MyMaggie #Grief #Love #HairAccessories #ForeverInOurHearts #Family

This weekend wasn’t extraordinary because of one big event.

It was extraordinary because of a collection of small moments that, woven together, reminded me that joy has a way of finding us even when we’re grieving.

It began with Shabbat morning services, grounding me in faith and community.

Then came an unexpected gift: Maggie’s ceramic paw print arrived ahead of schedule. Holding it in my hands brought tears to my eyes, but it also brought comfort. One tiny paw print… one enormous reminder that love leaves an imprint that never fades.

The weekend continued with simple pleasures. A visit to a farm, watching an entertaining dog show that made us smile, even Sadie. Wandering through lavender and fresh strawberries fields, and enjoying a wagon ride. Nothing life-changing. Yet every one of those moments invited me to pause, breathe, and simply be present.

There was precious time spent with the people I love most (minus Hannah who was away for the weekend).

We cheered Jacob on at his baseball game as he knocked not one, but two home runs out of the park. As a mom, there are few things sweeter than watching your child, even at 28 years old do something they love while you cheer from the sidelines.

And then we celebrated his birthday, another reminder of how quickly time passes and how grateful I am for every chance we have to gather around a table, laugh, and make memories together.

Looking back, I realized something.

Joy doesn’t always arrive with fireworks or life-changing milestones.

Sometimes it arrives quietly.

In a prayer.
In a paw print.
In the scent of lavender.
In fresh strawberries.
In the laughter shared on a wagon ride.
In cheering on the ones you love.
In birthday candles.
In simply being together.

I’ve learned that grief and joy are not opposites. They coexist. One doesn’t cancel out the other.

Losing Maggie has left an ache that two weeks later is still leaving me breathless every day. But this weekend reminded me that while grief walks beside me, joy still reaches for my hand.

Maybe that’s what healing really looks like, not moving on, but learning to notice the micro-moments that gently remind us life can be beautiful.

And when we string enough of those moments together…

They become something extraordinary.

It feels like just yesterday you were a precocious, mischievous little boy with more energy than a puppy with the zoomies. Always on the go. Always curious. Always keeping us on our toes.

And while you’re still always on the go, still endlessly curious, and still keeping us on our toes, watching that little boy you were become the remarkable young man, amazing big brother, loving son, and loyal friend to so many that you are today has been one of the greatest privileges, and gifts of my life. 

My firstborn. The one who made me a mom.

Being your mom has taught me that love means cheering the loudest, worrying the deepest, and laughing until it hurts.  You’ve taught me about resilience, determination, and quiet strength. 

May this year bring you exciting new adventures, meaningful moments, good health, and every happiness you deserve.

I love you to the moon and back, forever and a day. 

This morning we took Sadie for her next round of puppy vaccines.

A week ago today, we walked through those very same doors for the last time with Maggie.

It still doesn’t feel real. If I’m honest, I don’t want it to be real.

Walking into the clinic today was emotional. Every corner held a memory of those final moments, and my heart wasn’t quite ready to be back.

Then I looked up and saw a whiteboard with the letters VIP written across the top. Underneath it read: Very Important Pets.

There, right in front of us, was Maggie’s name.

My heart broke all over again.

Yet somehow, in that very same moment, I felt comfort too. Seeing her name there alongside so many other beloved furry family members who had crossed the Rainbow Bridge over the past week or so was a reminder that every one of those names represents a life that was deeply loved and will be forever missed.

As we stood there, Sadie was by our side, blissfully unaware of the tears in our eyes. She wagged her tail, looked up at us with those sweet puppy dog eyes, and reminded us that even in the deepest grief, healing quietly begins.

We miss you beyond words, Maggie.

It’s been a really ruff week without you here with us, Maggie. 💔🐾

As Shabbat begins, we’re reminded of its gift, a time to pause, reflect, and find comfort, even when our hearts are aching.

We miss your gentle presence every minute since you left us, your adorable smile, and the unconditional love you gave so freely. We hope you’re running free, chasing rainbows, and soaking up endless sunshine.

Your paw prints will forever be on our hearts.

Wishing everyone a peaceful, restful, and comforting Shabbat Shalom. 🤍

#shabbatshalom #missingyou #mymaggie #foreverinourhearts #brokenheart

I truly believe that Sadie came into our lives at exactly the right moment. Our hearts are beyond broken, and we miss Maggie more than anything. But with every wagging tail, every gentle cuddle, and every silly puppy antic, Sadie is helping us find smiles through the tears and healing in the midst of our grief.

Maybe that’s part of a dog’s purpose, to arrive exactly when they’re needed most.

And somehow, we just know Maggie is smiling, grateful that this sweet girl found her way to our family. ❤️

#mymaggie #sadie #adogspurpose #sweetgirl #puppyantics #puppylove #forevermylove #healing #brokenhearted #mentalhealth #aussiedoodle

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has reached out to us over the past 24 hours. Your thoughtful messages, kind words, and love have meant more to us than we can express. While nothing can take away the pain of losing Maggie, your compassion has helped ease our broken hearts.

2026… you’re breaking my heart 💔.

After the devastating and heartbreaking day we had yesterday, Rich and I both knew we needed to get out of the house today. We needed a change of scenery. We needed to get out of our heads, even if only for a little while.

The grief comes in waves. It sneaks up in the quiet moments, in familiar scents, treasured memories, the empty spaces she once filled, and in the instinct to reach for my phone to call my mom and tell her about Maggie. Then reality settles in all over again.

The sun was shining fiercely today, and I’d like to think that was Maggie smiling down on us, letting us know she’s okay.

So we headed off first thing this morning to another beautiful small town, wandered the streets, followed some quiet trails surrounded by water, walked through a park having a sidewalk chalk festival, browsed some unique little shops, and simply spent time together.

Then we walked into one shop and there they were… two handmade squeaky dog toys shaped like bones staring right at me. One had “Maggie” stitched on it. The other said “Sadie.”

I couldn’t believe it.

Of course they both came home with us. It felt like one of those little signs that shows up just when you need it most. Maggie’s bone will always have a special place in our home, and Sadie now has one to play with, or likely destroy.

Tomorrow we return to work after our staycation. It wasn’t quite the week we had hoped for but we are certainly glad we had a few extra days to spend some quality time with Maggie, spoiling her, and soaking up every precious moment together until we had to say goodbye.

As any pet lover understands, our animals aren’t “just pets.” They are family. They become part of our routines, our traditions, our happiest memories, and they leave paw prints on our hearts that never fade. Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things we’ll ever do.

But if this heartache is the price we pay for having loved Maggie so deeply and for having been loved so completely by her, it is a price worth paying. I would choose those fifteen beautiful years with her again and again, even knowing how this story ends.

Miss you furever and always, my sweet Maggie 🐾💔.

If you missed my tribute to Maggie yesterday, here it is again.
https://wheredidmommyssmilego.com/2026/06/27/ill-love-you-furever-and-a-day/

#fureverinourhearts #memories #family #adogspurpose #mymaggie #grief #missyouforeverandalways #mymaggie #myheart #mentalhealth

Today, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Maggie.

We are absolutely devastated.

For more than 15 years, you loved us unconditionally, and we loved you every single minute of every single day. We knew this day was coming for quite some time now, but it will never make today hurt any less. My heart is shattered.

Maggie, you were one of a kind. Silly. Stubborn. Lovable. Loyal. You filled our home with laughter, comfort, and unconditional love. You were my constant therapy, always by my side through life’s highest highs and darkest lows. You never judged, never asked for anything except love and lots of treats, and somehow always knew exactly when we needed you most.

Thank you for being the best 40th birthday gift I could have ever dreamed of. Bringing you home to your furever family, a few days before my birthday, on Father’s Day in June 2011 always felt so fitting, because you so quickly became your daddy’s pride and joy. Watching the bond the two of you shared over the past 15 years has been one of life’s greatest gifts.

You also grew up alongside Jacob, Hannah, and Rachel, who absolutely adored you. Comforting them through their adolescent years, celebrating birthdays and milestones, sharing in both laughter and tears, and loving each of them with the same unwavering devotion you gave to all of us.

You weren’t just part of our family, you helped shape it. You were there through birthdays, holidays, COVID, graduations, celebrations, heartbreaks, and all the ordinary days in between that became extraordinary simply because you were in them. You were the steady presence that held us together more often than you’ll ever know.

Just a few days ago, we celebrated my birthday together. Watching you happily enjoy my birthday steak brought us so much joy. A beautiful memory that would become one of the last beautiful memories we’d share with you. One we will treasure forever.

The house already feels quieter. There is an emptiness that words can’t describe. Right now, I can’t imagine moving forward without you. Fifteen years of walks, cuddles, adventures, tail wags, kisses, and your gentle presence are woven into every corner of our home and every part of our hearts.

Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for every greeting at the door, every road trip, every apple picking adventure, every walk, every cuddle on the couch, every laugh you gave us, and every moment of unconditional love. You made our family complete, and we are better because you were part of our lives.

Run free, our beautiful girl. I hope there are endless squirrels to chase, pretty bows to wear in your hair, soft places to nap, and all the treats your heart desires.

Until we meet again, know that you will forever be loved, forever be missed, and forever be part of our family.

Thank you for loving us so completely. We will spend the rest of our lives missing you and loving you.

May your memory forever be a blessing.

We love you to the moon and back, forever and a day 💜🐾.

#loveyouforever #mymaggie #adogspurpose #mentalhealth #myheartisbroken

As our staycation comes to a close, Rich and I headed out early this morning for a #SummerOfRich adventure. The girls were both working from home today, so they were able to keep a watchful eye on Maggie while we escaped for a few hours.

One of the things I love most about our #SummerOfRich adventures is discovering new towns and becoming tourists in our own beautiful province. Today’s adventure certainly didn’t disappoint.

It’s been a hard week on so many levels, filled with heartbreak but also sprinkled with micro-moments of joy. Watching Maggie’s decline has been incredibly difficult. My birthday brought a mix of emotions. And one of my oldest and dearest friends lost her beloved father, one of the kindest, gentlest, most generous people I’ve ever known. He embodied what it truly means to be a dad… the kind of dad I’ve always wished I had.

Today was exactly what I needed.

I needed to get out of my head. My anxiety has been loud. My feelings have been even louder.

We wandered through a tranquil garden, climbed a tower (despite my fear of heights!), and were rewarded with breathtaking views that made every step worthwhile. Then we found ourselves on a rugged lakeside trail (called Rugged Trail!), scrambling for 4 kms over rocks and boulders along the shoreline. It reminded us so much of one of our favourite hikes in Tobermory last spring.

Along the way we met so many happy dogs, splashing in the water, chasing sticks, and joyfully hopping from rock to rock. We couldn’t help but smile and imagine bringing Sadie back when she’s a little older. I know she’ll absolutely love it.

Sometimes healing doesn’t come from finding answers. Sometimes it comes from fresh air, quiet trails, holding the hand of the person you love, and remembering that even in the hardest weeks, beauty still finds a way to meet you.

Today continued to remind me that it’s okay to carry both grief and gratitude at the same time. And for today, that was more than enough. ❤️

Shabbat Shalom

#nature #beauty #healing #gratitude #staycation #mentalhealth #parrysound #shabbatshalom