She was beautiful, I just never told her
I started writing this article on my mom’s birthday last Sunday, first thing in the morning, just before my run. The night before, a photo memory appeared on my phone—a Facebook photo of my mom and me when I was three years old. I paused and looked at it longer than usual.
“You are so beautiful, Mommy,” I said quietly—and then, it hit me. Those are the same words I say to our dog, Chia, every single day, with so much emotion and without thinking. And I realized… I never told my mom that when she was still alive.
Later that night, my husband saw me quietly crying. I didn’t explain. I just hugged him and Chia until I fell asleep, because deep down, I knew he already knew why.
It wasn’t just because I missed her. It was because I missed the chance to tell her how beautiful she was and how much I appreciated her. I missed the chance to say the words I always assumed she already knew. I got too busy to make space in my life to express emotions that could have meant so much to her.
So now, I make sure I don’t miss those moments anymore.
My mom devoted her life to our family and to me. She showed her love through unfiltered words of appreciation, quiet sacrifice, an unwavering presence, and steady strength—the kind of love that heals and helps you understand your purpose in life.
Before Women’s Month ends, and as we enter Holy Week, it may be worth focusing on one aspect of wellness that is often overlooked, not because it isn’t important, but because we become too busy to notice it: emotional wellness—the ability to create space in our lives to feel and to express what truly matters.
Redefining women’s empowerment
We’ve spent this month reading stories of strong, empowered women, stories that inspire and set examples. We often think of empowerment in terms of achievement, influence, or success.
But to me, it goes beyond that.
Real empowerment lies in something much simpler yet deeply meaningful: by making the women closest to us feel seen, appreciated, and loved through small, intentional acts and words. It shows that we notice them, that we value them, and reminds them that they are already enough.
Because the truth is, you don’t need to accomplish something extraordinary to be considered empowered. You don’t need to be the best in your field, your career, or your sport. Every woman deserves to feel valued—not just this month, but every day.
As I write this, I realize that I, too, was shaped by that kind of empowerment and confidence. I grew up in a home where encouragement, trust, and affirmation were freely given. And perhaps that is why I see the world the way I do now.
But to me, at this point, empowerment isn’t always about strength. It’s about having the courage to be vulnerable—to feel deeply, to cry, and to express what’s in your heart. It’s in those moments that you find the courage to say what you truly feel—to let the love and appreciation within you flow freely, without hesitation.
Emotional wellness is not mental wellness
You can be doing everything right, like taking care of your health, building your career, and surrounding yourself with good people—and still feel that something is missing when your emotional wellness is overlooked. You can function at your best, but no longer feel fully.
Emotional wellness is about being aware of what you feel, learning how to express it, and allowing yourself to connect more intimately with others. It’s often confused with mental wellness, which focuses more on how we think—our ability to stay focused, process situations, and manage challenges.
Because you can think clearly, but still hold back what matters most. And when that happens, sometimes, you begin to miss the very things that bring real happiness and enhance meaning to everything else: the freedom to express what you feel, to make others feel appreciated and loved, and to experience richer connection and a stronger sense of meaning.
A letter to my Mom
Dear Mommy,
I’m saying this now with feelings I’ve carried quietly for so long. You are so beautiful.
The way I see you now, in my mind and in my heart, is something I carry with me every day. It shapes how I see the world, how I live, and who I am.
You were my number one fan. Your belief in me, your constant encouragement, and your appreciation for everything I did and for my existence have stayed with me—empowering me then, and continuing to guide me, even now.
And while I know there were times you longed for more of my time and presence, what I remember most is how freely and wholeheartedly you gave your love without expectations, and how that truly made you happy.
Thank you for making me who I am today. Because of you, I have learned to inspire others, appreciate life more deeply, and love more fully. Even if you are no longer with me physically, your presence lives on in me, in everything I do.
Writing this has given me a sense of relief—of finally opening up and, hopefully, giving others the courage to express what they’ve been holding back from the people who matter most.
Your loving daughter,
Michelle
How to create space for emotional wellness
This Holy Week, take time to care for your emotional health. Sometimes, the missing piece in how fully we live is not what we do more of, but what we finally make space for.
Pause and check in: Set aside a still moment, no distractions. Ask yourself: How am I really feeling? Notice what you may be holding back, and how it may be affecting your thoughts, behavior, and relationships.
Simplify your time: Look at how, and with whom, you spend your days. Let go of interruptions or commitments that take you away from what really counts. Your loved ones deserve your presence, not just the time you have left.
Take care of yourself: Self-care isn’t selfish. When you prioritize movement, nourishment, and recovery, you build the energy and toughness to show up better for others.
Say it and listen: Don’t wait for the best moment. Say the words—gratitude, appreciation, and love. At the same time, be present enough to truly listen. Sometimes, the simplest words can mean everything—not only to the person who hears them, but also to the one who finds the courage to say them.
