This is so thoughtful, wise, and, for me, eye-opening. This especially: “There are certain kinds of knowledge that aren’t taught directly; they’re absorbed through proximity, through observation, through being in environments where information circulates freely.” You explain so well the many parts of life we must navigate. And you inspire me to be more aware, to observe more intentionally. Thank you for that. I’m so sorry you lost your sister so young. I know you said, “stepsister,” but a sister’s a sister, and sibling loss is agonizing. Thanks again for writing this.
"Provision addresses immediate need. Positioning determines long-term trajectory." That distinction took me years to understand, and nobody handed it to me either.
The part about Kiwi stays with me. Not as a cautionary tale, but as a portrait of what happens when access arrives without a map. She wasn't lacking desire. The structure around her just didn't make upward movement easy, and nobody had explained the difference between being housed and being positioned to leave.
What you described — going to that office in person, with no strategy, just directness and necessity — that kind of improvisation doesn't get talked about enough. It's not in any guidebook. It's what you figure out when the guidebook was never given to you in the first place.
Thanks for sharing! Loved your point that without education there is a “gradual” narrowing of options, with the key word being gradual. So very true. Well written.👊🏾👏🏾
Gratitude vs discernment ❤️❤️❤️brilliant
This is so thoughtful, wise, and, for me, eye-opening. This especially: “There are certain kinds of knowledge that aren’t taught directly; they’re absorbed through proximity, through observation, through being in environments where information circulates freely.” You explain so well the many parts of life we must navigate. And you inspire me to be more aware, to observe more intentionally. Thank you for that. I’m so sorry you lost your sister so young. I know you said, “stepsister,” but a sister’s a sister, and sibling loss is agonizing. Thanks again for writing this.
This is such an important perspective. Thank you for sharing! 🩷
"Provision addresses immediate need. Positioning determines long-term trajectory." That distinction took me years to understand, and nobody handed it to me either.
The part about Kiwi stays with me. Not as a cautionary tale, but as a portrait of what happens when access arrives without a map. She wasn't lacking desire. The structure around her just didn't make upward movement easy, and nobody had explained the difference between being housed and being positioned to leave.
What you described — going to that office in person, with no strategy, just directness and necessity — that kind of improvisation doesn't get talked about enough. It's not in any guidebook. It's what you figure out when the guidebook was never given to you in the first place.
Oh yes I appreciate the perspective and analogy plus truth
Thanks for sharing! Loved your point that without education there is a “gradual” narrowing of options, with the key word being gradual. So very true. Well written.👊🏾👏🏾