Hall taught me to notice different things: whether she could tell us when she wanted space, whether she asked for help, whether she could believe that a mistake would not make an adult angry.

I attended my own counseling appointments, although I initially told Nina they were unnecessary.

After the second session, I came home and admitted that I had spent years confusing emotional silence with control.

Nina did not offer sympathy.

She handed me a plate and asked me to help set the table.

At dinner Maya announced that she hated broccoli, loved the new dog we might adopt, and wanted her classroom project to be about clouds.

Three opinions in one breath.