our family lives in Eden Prairie Minnesota a town that transforms into a kaleidoscope of fall colors come Autumn life here is incredibly convenient the Eden Prairie Center a large shopping mall is just a 10-minute driveway and we have Target and Starbucks right in the neighborhood our two-story Colonial home boasts for bedrooms and I particularly love the open Con cep kitchen that lets me keep an eye on the children while doing housework in this blessed environment I spend my days working as a web designer from our living room it's been 5 years since I went freelance
while working from home can sometimes be a lonely Endeavor I find it's the perfect arrangement for balancing child care and career with my brown hair pulled back in a ponytail I chase deadlines day after day still being able to see my family's Smiles up close makes it all worthwhile my husband Michael works as a project manager at a major IT company his gentle nature and Devotion to family make him my greatest support on weekends he cherishes his role as a father playing with Legos alongside our 10-year-old old son Jacob or accompanying him to soccer practice
at the YMCA every Sunday our family attends the local Presbyterian Church followed by our treasured tradition of brunch together Jacob is in fourth grade he's a bright and honest child and his teacher Praises him for contributing to the positive atmosphere in class these days he's particular particularly obsessed with Legos spending hours in his room creating during weekends while he's not too keen on his Wednesday piano lessons he diligently continues attending probably due to the same sense of responsibility he inherited from his father then there's Caitlyn and her daughter Ashley who are essential characters in this
story Caitlyn is Michael's sister living about 15 minutes away by car currently her husband is away on a long-term business assignment leaving her alone with 9-year-old Ashley she's deeply immersed in social media communities posting perfect motherdaughter moments on Instagram almost daily to be honest my relationship with Caitlyn is complicated after 7 years of marriage while we met maintain a facade of Harmony I often find myself exhausted by her perfectionist personality and somewhat condescending attitude toward me during family events she always takes charge and my opinions are consistently pushed aside whether it's Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas
cookie baking everything must be done according to her instructions still I've endured it because when well she's my husband's sister her behavior has been particularly concerning lately perhaps she's emotionally unstable due to her husband's absence but her overprotective attitude toward Ashley seems excessive over scheduling activities constantly posting photos of her daughter on social media sometimes Michael mutters that it's like she's using her as a trophy to show off to other moms on the other hand the children's relationship is wonderful Jacob and Ashley being close in age often play together on weekends Jacob especially dots on
Ashley who's a year younger treating her like a little sister Ashley typically introverted and sensitive naturally brightens up around Jacob even when she comes home tired from Girl Scout activities she comes alive when playing with him when her prized golden hair catches the sunlight she looks just like a doll that stepped out of a story book on this Sunday afternoon Autumn sunlight streams through the large Windows gently Illuminating our living room the aroma of a slow cooker meal fills the air with Thanksgiving season approaching I've just finished preparing dinner using ingredients from Whole Foods all
that's left is the final presentation for my client I sigh softly while facing my computer freelance work often means giving up weekends still the sound of Jacob's Lego blocks from upstairs soothes my heart I love these peaceful weekend afternoon moments H this color scheme still isn't quite right as I'm absorbed in fine-tuning the web design suddenly an aggressive doorbell ring pierces the air following it a voice that somewhere between an angry shout and a scream Echoes from the entrance Amy open up open this door right now I immediately recognized the Voice's owner it was Caitlyn
sounding completely unlike her usual self totally distraught rushing to the door I run into Jacob coming down the stairs mom was that Aunt Caitlyn Jacob please wait in your room though I hesitated at my son's worried expression dealing with the door had to come first opening the door I'm confronted by Caitlyn's livid face her usually perfectly styled brown hair is disheveled her Flawless makeup beginning to smear and behind her oh my goodness Ashley my voice rises in shock Caitlyn's daughter Ashley is sobbing and her precious golden hair it's been cut unevenly your son cut my
daughter's hair Caitlyn's Voice rings throughout the neighborhood I hurriedly Usher them inside Caitlyn please calm down let's talk about calm down look what happened to Ashley's Hair even after entering the living room Caitlyn's anger shows no signs of subsiding Ashley trembles behind her mother while my heart aches at her State something feels off Jacob come down here at Caitlyn's voice Jacob descends the stairs his usually bright expression is clouded with anxiety and fear Aunt Caitlyn how could you do such a terrible thing what what do you mean don't play dumb you cut Ashley's Hair I
could see the color drain from my son's face I Didn't Do It liar Ashley told me as Caitlyn becomes more aggressive Jacob steps backward I position myself in front of my son Caitlyn without any proof that's when it happened Caitlyn pushed past me and the sound of her slapping Jacob's cheek rang out Jacob collapsed to the floor my son's crying reaches my ears as I rush to his side I really didn't do it I didn't the sun I'm holding is trembling anger Wells up inside me Caitlyn get out I say this in a low voice
but Caitlyn won't listen excuse me my daughter is the victim here I won't stand for someone who resorts to violence playing the victim just then we hear the front door opening I'm home what's going on Michael had returned my husband who had gone to work on this weekend due to a deadline had come back earlier than planned sensing the situation his expression immediately becomes Stern what happened here Caitlyn exploded again starting to explain about Ashley's Hair throughout this Ashley kept her head down something seems off how dare you hit our son without any proof what's
wrong with that it's called discipline discipline that's violence I'll build you for the salon $5,000 and make him write an apolog ology letter the conversation had become impossible my husband spoke with firmness please leave for today we can talk again when everyone's calmer fine we're done here Ashley we're leaving Caitlyn Yanks Ashley's hand forcefully at that moment I catch Ashley's eye there was something in her gaze like she was trying to tell us something pleading for help the front door slams shut and silence returns but this silence felt like the Calm before a storm Jacob's
cheek is red Jacob you really didn't do it right no I absolutely didn't I would never cut Ashley's Hair there's no lie in my son's eyes he continued crying in my arms as I held him Michael joined us and the three of us stayed embracing for a long time Monday morning in Minnesota arrives with a misty Haze yesterday's events feel like a bad dream we decided to keep Jacob home from school school though the swelling in his cheek had subsided the emotional wounds wouldn't heal so easily he barely ate half his usual serving of pancakes
at breakfast it's okay Mom I want to go to school my son's attempt to be brave only tightened the knot in my chest Michael also chose to work from home today his kindness in wanting to support our son as a family meant more than I can Express around 10 a.m. the doorbell rang though I tensed up traumatized by yesterday the person standing there was Ashley Ashley stood alone in her school uniform she must have snuck away from school clutching a small backpack she looked nervous Auntie can I talk to you her voice trembled she was
different from yesterday gone was the fearful expression in her mother's presence now her eyes just sought help of course but your mother I came without telling Mom I hesitated should I let my niece in without Caitlyn's knowledge but this child's eyes were crying out for something my intuition pushed me forward all right come in led to the living room Ashley perched on the edge of the sofa her unevenly cut golden hair catches the morning light shining poignantly would you like some tea and cookies I got those macadamia nut ones you like from Whole Foods I
head to the kitchen while talking trying to ease the tension pouring tea into my favorite bone china cup and arranging cookies on a plate various possibilities race through my mind here you go as I offer the tea Ashley Whispers a small thank you the gesture is almost adult like where's Jacob he's resting upstairs after yesterday I'm sorry her sudden apology leaves me speechless Jacob didn't do anything wrong tears begin streaming down her cheeks my intuition was right would you like to tell me about it take your time holding the mug with both hands Ashley pauses
before speaking in a small voice actually I cut it myself my hair I catch my breath at this shocking confession but I forc myself to stay calm knowing I shouldn't interrupt Ashley story why I'm being bullied at school her trembling voice continues the confession social media harassment from classmates being excluded from group activities and most of all mom posts photos of me on Instagram every day but I'm not just a doll tear filled eyes look straight at me mom decided that lad is your pride but I I couldn't take it anymore as she speaks emotions
overflow and Ashley begins crying openly I rush to embrace her it's okay now you're not alone just then there's a sound from upstairs turning around I see Jacob standing halfway up the stairs stairs Ashley looks up too I'm sorry it was my fault it's okay I'm fine Jacob comes down the stairs and sits next to Ashley the cousins look at each other both crying their pure Bond brings tears to my eyes as well but why couldn't you talk to your mother about this I gently ask once things have calmed down mom she expects too much
Perfection I have to act like the perfect daughter in front of her social media followers those words squeeze my heart Caitlyn trapped by her reflection in the social media mirror had become deaf to her daughter's Silent Cries and her niece nearly crushed under the weight of that distorted love Ashley you're such a brave girl being honest with your feelings is very difficult but I don't know what to do now we're here for you how about starting with counseling together with your mom I've heard Oak Point Elementary has a great counselor Ashley gives a small nod
just then the doorbell rings Ashley shrinks in fear but it's just an Amazon delivery we all share a small laugh in that smile I see a glimmer of hope are you hungry I'll make you my special macaroni and cheese looking out the window while standing in the kitchen I see the Morning Mist has cleared and sunlight is streaming in the road ahead won't be smooth but my niece's courage and facing the truth lights the way for our family's New Beginning Jacob would you help set the table for Ashley sure the children's bright voices ring out
as I start preparing lunch I pray that this peaceful moment in our home will help heal her heart even if just a little I sat by the window at Starbucks near Eden Prairie Center when I decided to call Caitlyn here Michael was worried but this was something I had to do I want to come too I had no intention of refusing Ashley's request her courage was needed for this moment the cafe door opens Caitlyn enters perfect makeup and outfit as usual but she can't quite hide the dark circles under her eyes she freezes for a
moment when she spots us Ashley what about school sit down Caitlyn we need to talk at my voice she Narrows her eyes suspicious ious ly but slowly takes a seat first look at this I hand her my smart phone social media posts from Ashley's classmates Ashley's Too Perfect it's creepy she's just her mom's doll that hair must be extensions this is what your daughter faces at school every day k 's expression freezes Ashley tell her my niece nods slightly and begin speaking in a trembling voice the details of the bullying the pressure to meet her
mother's expectations and the real reason she cut her hair mom I I cut it myself what I couldn't pretend to be the perfect daughter anymore I'm sorry tears roll down Caitlyn's cheeks her hurried attempt to hide her smearing makeup reveals her confusion that's a lie because we we were happy weren't we everyone on Instagram envied us was that real happiness my question freezes the cafe face atmosphere are you saying I'm a bad mother how dare you a sister-in-law interfere with my parenting Caitlyn this isn't about good or bad parenting Ashley is suffering mom you protect
me too much it's suffocating Ashley's words become the final drop so I'm a bad mother I tried so hard caring about others opinions pretending to be the perfect mother on social media but that was wrong everything was wrong Caitlyn's voice gradually Rises other customers start turning to look I I tried so hard a sudden shout then Caitlyn collapses into tears since Ken left for his assignment I had to had to be the perfect mother alone my social media followers expected but really really Ashley rushes to embrace her mother mom you're not alone these words burst
Caitlyn's Dam her makeup runs her hair disheveled but it was also the sound of her mask falling away I'm sorry Ashley I'm so sorry I'm sorry too Mom as mother and daughter Embrace and cry even the cafe other Patron gazes soften after a while Caitlyn raises her face her smeared makeup makes her look like a no mask but her eyes hold a gentle light I've never seen before Amy for hitting Jacob I'm truly sorry Jacob is the one you should apologize to yes you're right out properly just then the cafe door opens again Michael enters
with Jacob I had contacted them earlier Jacob I'm so sorry for what I did Caitlyn kneels down to her nephew's eye level to apologize though Jacob hesitates briefly he soon Smiles it's okay and Caitlyn I'm just glad Ashley's feeling better the children's pure kindness brings tears to the adults eyes but what should we do now to Caitlyn's worried expression I make a suggestion the counselor at Oak Point Elementary has a great reputation why don't you try going together as mother and daughter yes Ashley will you go with me winter comes early in Minnesota 6 months
after that incident outside the window large snowflakes fall silently standing in our kitchen I occasionally listen to the laughter coming from the living room it's Christmas Eve afternoon Caitlyn Ashley and Ken who has finally returned from his long-term assignment are enjoying making Christmas cookies with us mom this cookie shape got all wonky at Ashley's voice Caitlyn Smiles gently it doesn't have to be perfect don't you think it looks lovely like a little star 6 months ago she would have surely said do it over the changes may be gradual but they're definitely happening weekly counseling sessions
though Caitlyn was reluctant at first now she makes appointments on her own initiative Miss Watson at oako elementary has patiently supported the motherdaughter relationship your sister-in-law is really trying the counselor confided in me privately it's wonderful to see how she's facing her perfectionist Tendencies and working to change her social media posts have decreased to once or twice a week instead she's spending more quality time with her daughter when I heard they'd recently started taking yoga classes together I found myself getting emotional Ashley's changes have been remarkable too she settled well into her new environment at
Oak Point Elementary her artistic talent has been recognized and she recently won an Excellence award at the School's art exhibition both Caitlyn and Ken beamed with pride at the award ceremony her golden hair now grown to shoulder length is no longer a symbol of her mother's expectations this length feels more like me Ashley decided for herself Amy is the hot chocolate ready Caitlyn's voice calls from the living room gone is the commanding tone of before replaced by a sisterly warmth yes coming right now as I carry the hot chocolate topped with plenty of marshmallows I
smile at the scene by the fireplace Lego blocks spread across the floor in the middle Jacob and Ashley are intensely focused on their building project Ken has joined them and the three are Consulting as they create together should we make this into a Christmas tree yes but not just an ordinary one like a space station the children's imagination takes flight beside them Caitlyn reaches for her smartphone then puts it back down I can see her consciously resisting the urge to post on social media it's a lovely site I whisper yes we don't need to capture
it in photos we can engrave it in our hearts Caitlyn's words catch my eye and we share a smile as evening approaches Michael returns from work carrying a large paper bag I have a surprise he ounces inside are ice skates for the whole family how about we all go to Brar Ice Arena tomorrow the children cheer and the adults join in agreement even if we fall we can laugh together now that we've built such a relationship I'm sure we'll be fine as night falls We Begin preparing Christmas Eve dinner we decided to spend it at
our house this year Amy let me help you with the turkey Caitlyn comes into the kitchen before she might have said I'm better at this thank you could you handle the stuffing we work side by side in the kitchen outside snow continues to fall and the fireplace Flames flicker hey Amy thank you for forgiving me that day that's what family's for a brief exchange of words but I could see tears glistening in both our eyes in the living room the children have completed their Lego Christmas tree it's uneven and somewhat crooked but its uniqueness makes
it all the more precious the Lego pieces shine in rainbow colors in the Fire Light everyone dinner's ready eight chairs around the table the aroma of turkey warm lighting snow outside the window and most of all the smiles of everyone here it's not perfect but within that imperfection Lies True happiness I take a deep breath the feeling of gratitude expanding in my chest and the anticipation for the days ahead everything is contained in this moment shall we say grace at Michael's words everyone joins hands forming a circle just like we do at the Presbyterian Church
I think I feel Caitlyn and Ashley's hands clasping each other a little tighter than before mother and daughter sisters cousins husband and wife the bonds of family fill this room tomorrow will surely bring another new morning No Doubt new challenges await us there but it's okay because on this winter night we found real hope
