3 Feb 2026 - A New Beginning

A New Beginning: The Bridge & Bond Lab

One pinkish tulip in a vase. A window opening to clear blue skies and green trees. And a room full of hearts ready to share.

This was our inaugural "Bridge & Bond Lab: Growing through the Squeeze of Parents and Teens" workshop.

Small group. But the spirit of oneness? Powerful.

I sat humbled by the earnest, sincere, open sharing. Parents caught in the middle - caring for aging parents while raising teens. The sandwich generation, squeezed from both sides, yet showing up with such courage.

We shared our challenges. Our exhaustion. Our guilt.

And in that sharing, something beautiful emerged: connection. You're not alone.

We practiced mindful walking - slowly, deliberately, grounding ourselves. Then we became butterflies - fluttering gently, moving across the room, arms light and free. The feeling of freedom. Of bringing forth our inner child. Of feeling alive again. Of wanting to live our own lives again, this time with some happiness and tools to help us along.

That single tulip - something beautiful can grow even when space feels tight.

That window view - there's sky, there's room to breathe, even in the squeeze.

This is just the beginning. I hope to grow this community where we support each other with practical tools and genuine connection.

My Small Shifts:

> Simple practices like mindful walking or butterfly movement can help us reconnect with joy

> Shared struggles create powerful bonds - you don't have to carry it alone

> Nurturing your inner child isn't selfish; it's necessary for everyone, especially caregivers

If you're in the sandwich generation and need support - you're welcome here. Tune in for our next session in March.

#SandwichGeneration #ParentingTeens #BridgeAndBond #Community #Mindfulness #InnerChild #YouAreNotAlone

🌷 Humbly from Linda's desk @ Tulip Meadows 🌷