Even When the Kettle’s Bare

Image
Some paths are quieter than others—but walking them together makes all the difference. Today reminded me of the quiet weight that comes with being the one others turn to. I spoke with both of my daughters—separately, at different points in the day. One needed advice, the kind only a mother can give when life feels uncertain. The other’s voice held something heavier, and when I asked, she let it spill: relationship strain, financial stress, the kind of ache that’s hard to name out loud. I listened. I offered what I could—words, perspective, a little steadiness. And later, I followed up. Not because I had to, but because I know how it feels to be left holding something alone. They each thanked me. They each made a move forward. And I felt that familiar flicker of peace—the kind that comes from knowing you were able to help. But beneath that peace, there’s a quieter ache. The kind that surfaces when you’re still navigating your own storm, and yet you find yourself pouring from a cup that’...

When One Door Closes...



You don’t always recognize the turning point when you’re in it. Sometimes it looks like crumpled closing documents, tear-stained cheeks, or a house you loved becoming someone else’s.

We spent years as “Mom and Dad.” Years anchored in the rhythms of raising kids—school drop-offs, bedtime stories, backyard birthdays. And slowly, beautifully, those chapters gave way to new ones: our oldest expecting her third child, our youngest engaged and planning a wedding, and our son, bold and ready, buying his first condo and launching a business of his own.

Suddenly it was just Josh and Kim. Not who we were before the kids, but something gentler. Wiser. A little worn, but still full of hope.

We contemplated selling our home—not out of whimsy, but necessity. We needed clarity. A place we could own outright. No mortgage. No weight we couldn’t carry. Just sanctuary.

And it wasn’t easy. From confusing documents to inflated closing costs, we fought every step. We even almost bought a home in Maine—until we discovered it was tied to a multi-million dollar trafficking ring. You can’t make that part up.

There were nights we cried. Leaving behind the grandkids, the convenience, the familiar faces. Four hours away felt like a lifetime. But we kept going. For peace. For integrity. For something we couldn’t yet name.

And then… Dolgeville, NY.

A place we hadn’t planned on. A place that felt like it was waiting for us all along. Quiet streets. Violet festivals. A whispered welcome we didn’t know we needed.

Our kids reassured us: “This is what you need.” They were right.

This hidden gem isn’t just a new address. It’s a beginning. A sanctuary. A storybook chapter we never imagined but always hoped for.

From our wedding under the trees in Colt State Park, to our new home surrounded by trees in Dolgeville—our story has always been rooted in nature, love, and quiet strength.

This journey has been a winding road. But every step, every closed door, led us here. And it feels like we’ve finally found home.


Note from Honey We didn’t plan for this kind of love— to bloom quietly, to hold fast through trials, to keep showing up when the path got hard.

But here we are. Rooted. Resilient. Grateful beyond words.

To anyone standing at the edge of change: trust the whisper. The stillness. The wild unfolding.

We didn’t know where the road would lead. We just kept choosing what felt honest, even when it meant letting go of the familiar. Each moment shaped the next. Each challenge carved out space for something softer. Something stronger.

So if you’re building your next chapter from scratch, if you’re grieving and dreaming in the same breath—you’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing it beautifully.

Here’s to new homes, old trees, and love that quietly lasts.

With my whole heart, 

Honey 🍯🫖☕️❤️

Comments

Popular Posts

When the Sanctuary Turns on You

Sweet Comfort in a Cup