Estrangement doesn’t end because a parent says “just get over it” or “family is everything.” It doesn’t end because they want a holiday photo or because they suddenly feel uncomfortable with the distance. Healing only begins when the people who caused harm become safe enough to come back to. And safety is not sentimental. It’s not performative. It’s not a “we love you and miss you” text. Safety is accountability. Safety is truth-telling. Safety is the end of secrecy, control, gossip, triangulati

* You’re suddenly filled with years of muscle memory for a battle you’ve never fought.