A few weeks ago, I came across a social media post that stayed with me. An influencer shared how a mother had reached out to him, hoping to find her daughter. An audio clip was played and the mother was calling out to her child, saying how much she missed her, how she could no longer eat or sleep well since her daughter left home. The anguish in her voice was unmistakable, and it lingered with me long after the video ended.

Over the years, I have worked with many families affected by conflict. I am always heartened when they are willing to step through the door to consider restorative or therapeutic options to address what has been broken. It takes courage to show up, especially when emotions are raw and outcomes uncertain. Yet, I am also mindful that not every family has the opportunity to access these facilitated conversations that allow them to reconnect.