So yesterday, my oldest daughter was putting on her shoes and heading to the mailbox. I asked her, “What are you doing, honey?”

She responds, “I am mailing a letter to the president.”

I paused, “Ahhhhh, what is the letter about and where did you find an address?”

She says matter-of-factly, “I googled it.” (An obvious response, but one has to admire the gumption.)

And she continues, “The letter is asking all responding in a crisis (first responders, moms and dads, people on the street) to be kind and compassionate.” She goes on to say, “If an individual is living with a mental illness, a high stress situation makes it worse. These individuals are misunderstood and only trying to do the right thing with an illness that can be disabling. They wish they were not sick and probably doing the best they can.”

Pretty powerful letter and reminder from an 11-year-old girl. She is obviously paying attention to the world around her (children are aware of more than we know) and weaving her story through. Although you might think I give her strength and courage (I am “mom”), it is my daughter who inspires me everyday with her courage and tenacity. She reminds me often that we all have the power to move the universe in the direction of beauty.

Please visit our store and treat yourself or someone else to something “happy”.

20% of our net profits will be donated to non-profit organizations raising awareness and transforming care for children, adolescents, adults and families experiencing a mental health condition. These individuals and families are some of the bravest people we know.