Snapshot Sunday: Finding Light in the Canyon

Some people wake up on Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed or brunch reservations.
Me? I woke up and laced up my boots.

I hiked into Palo Duro Canyon yesterday — Texas’ own quiet giant — where flowers bloom between rocks and the wind carries more grace than most conversations ever could. These moments in nature help me breathe deeper and reconnect with what really matters.

The truth is, Mother’s Day has never looked like Hallmark for me. My mom wasn’t really… maternal. She still isn’t. And while that used to hurt, this time I let that hurt walk beside me on the trail instead of carrying it alone.

Instead of celebrating her, I celebrate the one who showed up — my dad. The parent who stood in the gap, dried the tears, and taught me what unconditional love looks like.

If this day feels complicated for you too — if you’re motherless by loss, by choice, or by reality — I want you to know: you’re not alone. You’re seen. You’re loved. And you get to redefine what this day means for you.

Today, I choose to honor resilience, growth, and the beauty that pushes up through even the hardest rock. Just like these flowers tucked into the canyon wall — I bloom anyway.

Photos from My Hike

• Wildflowers growing from rock cracks: life finding a way
• Rugged canyon slopes: reminders that beauty can come from erosion
• The view from the top: where I can see how far I’ve come