Today, I gave myself permission to pause—no meetings, no deadlines, no pretending I had the energy to push through. I slipped into my muumuu, made bacon and eggs, and let the house stay quiet for once. While the bacon sizzled, I smiled thinking about how even the smallest gestures can carry love. I tore off a couple of crispy pieces for the dog—because he deserves joy too—and opened my laptop to order matching Christmas pajamas for me, Sahara, and King. A simple thing, but so