YouAreEnough

31 years later, through every season of life, he’s still my constant.

The one who makes me feel seen, safe, and unconditionally loved.

Grateful for every chapter we’ve shared, even the painful, messy ones, because they’ve shaped us, strengthened us, and deepened our love along the way. ❤️

Happy Anniversary, Rich. I love you forever and a day.

#happyanniversary #thirtyone #grateful #love #strength #mentalhealth

Last night, during Mental Health Awareness Month, I attended an intimate panel discussion featuring six authors from the Anthology, “When We Forgive”;  a powerful collection of short stories “tracing the path between hurt and healing”. Each story was shaped by lived experience, resilience, reflection, trauma, addiction, grief, healing, and ultimately, the complicated, rarely picture-perfect journey toward forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a tough one for me. It’s something I’ve struggled with a lot. I’ve had to learn the hard way, whether it’s learning to forgive myself, or learning to forgive a loved one who’s hurt me, but has never had the courage to say the words, “I’m sorry.”

Last night felt inspiring, cathartic, and deeply necessary in my own healing journey. In each author’s story, I recognized pieces of myself. Their honesty served as a gentle reminder that none of us are truly alone in what we carry, even when it feels that way sometimes.

Thank you to each of the authors for sharing your truth with such courage, vulnerability, and honesty. And thank you to @leahposlunstheatre for creating space for these important conversations and bringing stories of healing, resilience, and mental health to your stage.


#forgiveness #anthology #connection #whenweforgive #healing #trauma #grief #resilience #addictions #mentalhealthawarenessmonth @adamkunder @tab_nav @discovering_y.o.u._ @sustainable_recovery

Yesterday a Bar Mitzvah, tonight a wedding. This weekend has been filled with love, friendship, tradition, and joyful moments… plus 3 wardrobe changes, all with the same essentials: a cute purse and a grateful heart.

Showing up isn’t always easy for me, which makes weekends like this feel extra meaningful. 💕

#micromoments #celebrate #friendship #mentalhealth #gratefulheart

It’s been a really heavy week for me. Way beyond the norm 🥹. So I’m especially grateful that it’s finally Friday… and a long weekend to boot!

A weekend where I get to celebrate two very special milestones in the lives of two of my dearest friends — the Bar Mitzvah of one son, and the wedding of another. Moments filled with joy, love, pride, and the reminder of how important it is to hold close the people who matter most.

But first, tonight, as we enter Shabbat, I will rest. I will quiet my mind, exhale some of the heaviness I’ve been carrying, and allow myself a moment to simply pause.

Sometimes life feels like it asks us to hold both exhaustion and gratitude at the very same time. This weekend feels like exactly that.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbat and a beautiful long weekend ahead (in Canada that is 🇨🇦).

P.S. I think spring has finally arrived! 🌷

#shabbatshalom #gratitude #friendship  #celebrations #longweekend #mentalhealth #ohcananda #spring #joy #love #pride #micromoments

It’s been a really heavy week for me. Way beyond the norm 🥹. So I’m especially grateful that it’s finally Friday… and a long weekend to boot!

A weekend where I get to celebrate two very special milestones in the lives of two of my dearest friends — the Bar Mitzvah of one son, and the wedding of another. Moments filled with joy, love, pride, and the reminder of how important it is to hold close the people who matter most.

But first, tonight, as we enter Shabbat, I will rest. I will quiet my mind, exhale some of the heaviness I’ve been carrying, and allow myself a moment to simply pause.

Sometimes life feels like it asks us to hold both exhaustion and gratitude at the very same time. This weekend feels like exactly that.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbat and a beautiful long weekend ahead (in Canada that is 🇨🇦).

P.S. I think spring has finally arrived! 🌷

#shabbatshalom #gratitude #friendship  #celebrations #longweekend #mentalhealth #ohcananda #spring #joy #love #pride #micromoments

It’s been an especially heavy week. First Mother’s Day, and now today would have been my mom’s 80th birthday.

Just a year ago, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren, celebrating with laughter, cake, and making plans for this big milestone birthday. Her grandchildren truly meant the world to her, and having everyone together brought her so much joy. I know she would have loved having us all together today. Eighty feels like a birthday we should have been celebrating with her.

She always did love a good party 🎉

It’s hard to believe how much can change in a year. We lost her just four months ago, and some days it still doesn’t feel real.

Today I’m simply honouring my mom, the memories we shared, the family moments that mattered most to her, and wishing she were here enjoying a big slice of her favourite cake from Loblaws.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

We love you always ❤️🥰🤗.

#happybirthdaymom #grief #celebrations #mentalhealth #eighty #cake

Today has been an emotional day. A mix of so many feelings. Those “firsts” are always the hardest.

Waking up to so many thoughtful Mother’s Day messages from friends and loved ones and continuing to receive them throughout the day from people who knew this wasn’t just any ordinary Mother’s Day for me, meant more than I can put into words. I felt so seen, supported, and surrounded by love.

And then, getting to spend the day with my three reasons why (and Maggie of course), doing the things that bring me the greatest joy, made the heaviness feel a little lighter. There is something so meaningful about being with people who truly know you, who understand what your heart needs without even having to ask.

And being spoiled with the perfect gift; tickets to see “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” was just the icing on the cake. I truly can’t wait. Thank you, Jacob, Hannah, Rachel, and Rich, for knowing exactly what would make me smile and for making today feel a little softer, a little brighter, and filled with love.

Thank you for bringing both smiles and tears of joy today. Your love carried me more than you know.

And to anyone who may have found today difficult for any reason, I’m holding space for you too. I know that Mother’s Day can carry so many emotions. Wishing love, gentleness, and comfort to all who needed it today.

#happymothersday #summerofrich #grief #loss #joy #comfort #mythreereasonswhy #family #friends #love #mentalhealth #youareenough

This morning during Shabbat services, I shared part of my mental health journey — and without question, it was one of the most meaningful and difficult speeches I have ever given.

Speaking openly about mental health, healing, and the importance of community left me emotional in ways I didn’t expect. I walked away with so much pride in my heart, and immense gratitude for every person who came up to me afterwards to say thank you, to share their own story, or to tell me about someone they love who is struggling.

Those conversations reminded me exactly why this matters.

Mental health conversations are not easy, but they are necessary. They create connection, compassion, understanding, and remind people they are not alone.

No one should ever have to heal alone. 🤍

I wanted to share the video of my speech with you. We can’t use our phones on Shabbat, but thanks to our incredible tech support team who livestreams our services each week, I was able to get a copy of it.

It’s raw. It’s emotional. It’s deeply personal. But if sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, then it was worth it.

Last week, I shared a very personal blog I had written for the weekly bulletin at the synagogue where I work in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month.

This week, I wrote another piece that also felt deeply personal and wanted to share with you as well. It’s titled “Honouring Mothers: A Jewish Reflection on Mother’s Day.”

This Mother’s Day will feel very different for me. My mom has been gone for four months now, and there are still days when it simply doesn’t feel real.

BLOG:

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, we take time this weekend to honour the women who have shaped our lives in ways both visible and unseen. In Judaism, the role of a mother is deeply woven into our identity, our values, and the continuity of our people.

This year, the day feels different for me. Four months ago, I lost my mom. There is a quiet space where her presence used to be, one that is especially felt on days like this. And yet, in that space, I find myself reflecting even more deeply on what she gave me, and the values that continue to guide me.

In the Torah, we are commanded to “Honour your father and your mother”. This mitzvah is not limited to words or a single day. It is something we carry throughout our lives. Even after loss, we continue to honour our parents through the way we live, the choices we make, and the values we pass on.

Our tradition also teaches us that Jewish identity is passed on through the mother, a reminder of the profound and lasting impact mothers have, not only in raising children, but in shaping generations.

At the same time, Mother’s Day can be complex. For some, it is filled with joy and gratitude. For others, it carries grief, longing, or complicated emotions. Judaism makes space for all of it, reminding us to approach one another with compassion and understanding.

This Mother’s Day, may we honour the mothers and mother-figures in our lives, those who are with us, and those we carry in our hearts. May their love continue to guide us, and may their memory be a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom

#mothersday #blessings #shabbatshalom #loss #understanding #mentalhealth #family

One year ago today, I took this photo just before heading out the door to my brand new job. I remember how nervous and excited I felt, mixed (of course) with a heavy dose of uncertainty and self-doubt. In that moment, I was choosing me.

This past year has stretched me, challenged me, and helped me grow in ways I never expected. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been meaningful in so many ways.

I’m really proud of that version of me for taking the leap. I am so grateful for the incredible people I get to work alongside every day, for this community that has embraced me, and for my friends and family who encouraged me, supported me, and reminded me (time and again) that I’ve got this.

I’m still learning every day, still growing, and far more grounded than I was a year ago.

This year has held both growth and loss, reminding me just how much can change in a year. I carry all of it with me as I step into year two, with gratitude and a fuller heart.

That girl in this photo truly had no idea what the year ahead would hold, but I’m so proud of her for walking out that door anyway.

#happyanniversarytome #gratitude #growth #ichooseme #mentalhealth #youareenough #teamwork #community #friends #family