Fall Break Authenticity

As October 2025 evolves, I've been able to see my grandkids some because public schools now have this strange new animal called 'fall break'.  Back in the 80's, schools were open always and a student might only get a vacation from class if he or she incurred a FALL and had a BREAK of the femur or perhaps an ankle.

For me, fall break time gave time to visit with Allie, Annie Grace and Emma this week.  I always want to do that. Always! It's a chance to share enthusiasm for life and to learn what's important to the girls who are so important to me.

Twice this week the kids have shown me that what's important to me is known to them....

....Authenticity.  It's not an easy thing to do, standing out here all by yourself to be who you feel like you need to be.  To give an honest answer.  To vote no when the majority is screaming "hell, yeah".  To advocate for the idea lost over in the fray or try to offer perspective from shoes you haven't tried on but can see the shoelaces are clearly missing.

As a kid, I looked up to my grandparents and my parents as well.  They were very sincere hard-working people and lived unpretentiously.  I guess I admired their authenticity.  It was easy being around them for the genuine way they moved through each day. That's just how I feel good in my skin.  I've lost that a time or two but have always come back to the basic idea if you want to be happy inside, you have to be honest with yourself about who you are.  Being sincerely authentic isn't always popular but inside my heart I know who I am.  Fake it until you make it just doesn't work for me.

According to Brené Brown, "Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to let our true selves be seen."

Fall Break has been another chance to be 'real'-ly present for my grands and to hear about their hopes and dreams.  I want them to move authentically through life and find sincere happiness as the lovely unique people they are growing up to be. I'm excited for each one of them to love their own true selves.  Keeping it honest, I know who I am and it makes my heart so happy to know the kids recognize my true self but spend time with me anyway!