She was sick when I was a kid, and everything changed way faster than I wanted it to — I think it would’ve changed fast whether she was sick or not. But I do remember there is something to 14, to 15, when you start to realize it’s on you more and more and on your parents less and less and it’s hard to negotiate how that will go.

And the hard part is that it has to be that way or you’d never leave home. You’d never launch into your own life. But there’s really no happy, lovey way to grow your own wings. Extracting yourself from relying on your parents to relying on yourself is a painful break, for them and for you. My daughter’s only six, and I’m already worried about it. I know she’ll go through it, because everyone goes through it. That’s why we all joke about how we’d never want to go back to high school — it’s a confusing time. Cling to the good parts. Remember this is hard for your parents, too. I recommend writing it all down now, because you’ll be shocked when you look back and remember the flood of emotions you had at 15. It doesn’t stay that way — sometimes I miss the rush of being so alive.

We started a really good conversation awhile back. We should pick that up. I can help you work through those things you can’t change – right now. Or the things you can’t change because you cannot change other people.

During our time in NYC, we’ll lose your mom and the other bloggers for a bit and we’ll talk about this change business some more. ‘k?

xo.