To Be Seen

November 18, 2025

A few days ago, I randomly picked up the book Fierce Conversations and opened it somewhere in the middle.

The passage I landed on was about the human need to be seen—

not just for what we do or how we show up on the outside,

but for who we are beneath all of that.

It stayed with me.

Because for most of my life, I’ve carried that same quiet ache:

to be seen,

to be known,

to be understood for the person I really am.

And how rare—how unbelievably rare—it is to find the people who can do that,

and who value our inherent worth simply because we exist.

Today, I delivered cake—

or as I affectionately call it, cope cake—

to the district’s central office team.

It’s a big day not just for me, but for them too.

After the hard work, the strained hours, the uncertainty around this recall,

we all deserved a slice of something soft and sweet.

As I sat with them, I felt seen.

Not because I brought cake,

but because we’re in this together.

We are a team.

They know me.

I know them.

And for a few minutes, the world felt a little lighter.

Later in the day, I had a brief passing with someone else—

just a few seconds, nothing dramatic—

but the moment surprised me in its openness.

In it, I felt seen again.

And I hope they know I saw them too.

It’s amazing how we can be seen by people who know us and also by those who only know of us.

Life is a wild, chaotic, heartbreaking, joy-filled ride.

And along the way, I’m learning to cherish the people who see me—

really see me—

and the ones I get to see right back

as we all make our way through this strange, beautiful world.