For two weeks, I’ve been fully vaccinated. During that time, I’ve had rich, meaningful (close contact!) connection with family and friends. With each hug, I feel joy and love, as well as deep grief and rawness. When the heart opens, it opens in all directions.

This is a precious time for us all. We get to choose how to re-emerge. Not just with our activities—with how we nurture and heal our hearts. If we skid right by and enter “normal” life, grief and trauma are buried. If we allow ourselves to be real, vulnerable, raw, grateful, joyous, and present, the grief is felt and metabolized; the trauma is honored and shared.

Each day, I’m brought to tears. It feels like my insides are on my outside. I experience immense relief, joy, and love. And I experience vulnerability, sadness, and amazement.

I often share the phrase: feel what you feel. This is my mantra for re-entry. Not pushing anything away. Not covering anything over. Being real. Feeling what I feel.

It’s okay to not be okay. It's okay to be vulnerable, exposed, and sad.

And it's okay to be happy; to relish and savor and play.