Cranky Knees & Olive Trees: A Weekend in Motion

This weekend didn’t ask for permission—it just arrived with a full agenda and a few emotional curveballs.

Jace had knee surgery last Thursday and braces the Tuesday before. That’s a double whammy for any teenager, and the crankiness is real. Pain, discomfort, and the slow crawl of healing make for a tough combo. I’ve been trying to balance empathy with boundaries, but let’s be honest—some days feel like a test of endurance for both of us.

In the middle of it all, I bought an olive tree. There’s something poetic about planting something slow-growing and resilient while the house buzzes with recovery and homework deadlines. It’s a small act of hope. A reminder that growth takes time, and beauty often comes from persistence.

I cut the grass—finally. The backyard looks less like a jungle and more like a place where you could breathe. That fresh-cut smell, the hum of the mower, the satisfaction of clean lines—it’s one of those grounding rituals that reminds me I’m still in control of something.

Cooking was my therapy this weekend. Nothing fancy, just meals that felt warm and familiar. Stirring, chopping, tasting—it’s the kind of rhythm that brings me back to center. Between bites and dishes, I chipped away at EdD homework. The readings are dense, the reflections deep, but they’re also part of a bigger story I’m writing for myself and my community.

So yeah, it was a busy weekend. But it was also real. Messy, meaningful, and full of small victories.