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A normal day at a huge family event can turn into a life-or-death sprint in seconds, and the aftermath doesn’t end when you finally get out of the crowd. We’re sharing a raw, first-person story of being caught near a mass shooting in Seattle with young grandkids, the split-second choices we made to keep them safe, and what it feels like to watch children stay brave while adults try not to fall apart. 

That trauma hits on top of a season already packed with grief and disorientation: losing a spouse, moving across the country, rehoming pets, watching your old life disappear, and fighting through the mental load of VA systems and unanswered questions around PTSD and support. We talk honestly about therapy, the daily effort of getting up, and the heavy, lonely moment of looking in the mirror and wondering what the day will bring. 

We also look for the next tiny foothold forward: rebuilding self-trust, untangling perfectionism as an artist, and taking small steps that create real momentum like getting a library card, signing up for a class, reaching out to local creatives, and letting yourself sit in a coffee shop with a book without rushing to “fix” everything. If you’re searching for coping strategies for grief, trauma recovery, or starting over later in life, this conversation offers both truth and practical next moves. 

What motivates you when life feels uncertain?

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