Boundaries Don’t Make Me Difficult — They Make Me Well January 5, 2026 Family is the first place we learn boundaries. Healthy ones. Broken ones. Or none at all. Before we ever learn the word boundary, we feel it. We feel it in how “no” is received. In whether our tears are honored or dismissed. In whether love is conditional or steady. Family is where the ember first learns its shape—whether it’s protected, smothered, or left to burn without guidance. And because family is ou

By Tracy Perry A couple weekends ago, I traveled to attend a family gathering. Beautiful celebration. Family gathered. Smiles everywhere. But behind my quiet smile, I was unraveling. As the plane landed, my body was already sounding the alarm. Nausea. Tight chest. Shaking hands. And then the text came— My ride wasn’t there. What was supposed to be a joyful arrival turned into a spiral. I had to scramble for an Uber. The driver didn’t greet me, didn’t help with my bags, and dr

There are no words big enough to fill the space left by a loved one—especially when that loved one was young. Grief has a way of stealing...

Tending the Ember for a New School Year The yellow buses are rolling again, and with them come the sounds of laughter, new backpacks,...

A Message from Tracy Perry, LMSW — Founder of The Ember Collective Who I Am I’m Tracy Perry—licensed master social worker, mental health...