How does family shape your perception of strength? When I think about strength, I think about my mom. Throughout my life, she has faced more challenges than most people experience in a lifetime. She navigated financial struggles, divorce, multiple moves, and, most significantly, the serious illnesses of two of her children.
My younger sister was born with a neuromuscular disease, and doctors were unsure if she would survive. She required around-the-clock care, tube feedings, and countless therapies. Against all expectations, she continued to fight and gradually improve. Then, when my younger brother was only two years old, he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Over the next five years, our family faced surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, mounting medical bills, divorce, remarriage, blending a new family, moving into a new home, and the everyday uncertainty of how to make ends meet.
When my brother passed away, it was the lowest point I had ever seen my mom experience. She was consumed by her grief and struggled to be present for anyone else. As difficult as that was for me while navigating my own grief, I cannot imagine the pain she carried as a mother. What stands out to me most is not that she never fell apart, it’s that she eventually found a way to keep going. It took time, but she worked her way through unimaginable loss and rebuilt her life.
Watching her has shaped my understanding of strength. Strength is not about being unaffected by hardship or always appearing resilient. It is about continuing to move forward when life feels impossible. My mom taught me to be independent, resourceful, flexible, and adaptable. Seeing her endure the worst circumstances imaginable and still find a way through them has shown me that even the hardest challenges can be overcome.
What keeps you strong in times of trial? In times of trial, I draw strength from my faith, my relationships, and moments of solitude. While I am grateful for the support of family and friends, some of the greatest peace I find comes when I can step away from the noise, reflect on my thoughts, process my emotions, and focus on what is still good in my life.
When I am struggling, I often take my dog for a walk, spend time outdoors, and pray. Being in nature helps me slow down and stay present, while prayer helps me feel connected to God and reminds me that I do not have to carry every burden on my own. Asking for guidance, strength, and peace gives me comfort during difficult times. My faith has been the foundation that sustains me, but the people I trust also play an important role. Having family and friends who listen, support me, and simply show up when I need them makes challenges feel less overwhelming. Through both faith and relationships, I am reminded that I am not alone.
Most importantly, I have learned that healing and growth often come one step at a time. No matter how difficult a situation may seem, I keep moving forward, trusting that with time, patience, and support, the pain becomes lighter and the path ahead becomes clearer.
How have your trials made you stronger?: My trials have made me stronger by showing me what I am capable of enduring. Each time I face a difficult situation and come out on the other side, I gain a greater sense of confidence in my ability to handle future challenges. When I can look back and think, “That was incredibly hard, but I made it through,” it reminds me that I am more resilient than I often realize.
Trials have also taught me patience, adaptability, and perseverance. They have shown me that growth often comes through discomfort and that strength is built by continuing to move forward, even when the path is uncertain. While I would not choose many of the hardships I have experienced, I recognize that they have shaped me into someone who is better equipped to face adversity.
Most importantly, my experiences have taught me to trust that difficult seasons do not last forever. Knowing that I have overcome challenges in the past gives me hope and confidence that I can overcome them again in the future.
How can you be strong and vulnerable? I believe there is an incredible amount of strength involved in being vulnerable. Being vulnerable means allowing others to see who you really are, the good, the bad, and everything in between. It requires courage to open yourself up to the possibility of judgment, rejection, or misunderstanding. For many people, that can be terrifying.
To me, vulnerability is being willing to say, “I’m not perfect, but this is who I am.” It means acknowledging your struggles, mistakes, and shortcomings rather than hiding them behind a facade of perfection. While it may feel safer to keep those parts of ourselves hidden, I think it takes far more strength to be honest and authentic.I also believe vulnerability helps create deeper connections with others. When we are open about our challenges, we give others permission to do the same. It reminds people that no one has it all figured out and that perfection is not a requirement for worthiness or belonging.
What advice would you give to the next generation of strong women? My advice to the next generation of strong women is to never let your circumstances define who you are or what you are capable of becoming. Life will not always be fair, and sometimes you will be dealt difficult circumstances that are completely outside of your control. Acknowledge the hardship, allow yourself to feel it, and then keep moving forward one step at a time.
I would also encourage young women to invest in themselves. Spend time getting to know who you are, what you value, and what brings you joy. For a long time, I did not prioritize myself enough, and as a result, I struggled with insecurity and self-doubt. Over time, I have learned the importance of recognizing my own worth and building confidence from within. I am continually discovering that I am capable of far more than I once believed.
Most importantly, remember that strength does not mean never struggling. It means continuing to move forward despite the struggles. Trust yourself, give yourself grace, and do not be afraid to take up space in the world. There will be difficult seasons, but there are also so many beautiful experiences, relationships, and opportunities waiting for you. Hold on to those things, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and trust that you are stronger than you know.
Carlee’s Intentional Act of Kindness
How did you use the $100? I used the $100 to purchase fresh-cut flowers and create 12 small bouquets, which I then gifted to members of the stroke survivors group at EvergreenHealth. My goal was to do something simple but meaningful that could bring a bit of joy, encouragement, and beauty to people who are navigating recovery and significant life changes. I chose to use the $100 in this way because I work in the stroke program, and the stroke survivors were the first people who came to mind when I thought about who I wanted to bless. They have experienced life-altering health events that require not only immediate resilience, but ongoing strength in the long recovery process that follows. Many stroke survivors continue to face physical limitations, emotional changes, and often depression, and it takes significant daily strength to keep adapting and moving forward.
While support from family and friends is often strong right after a stroke, it can naturally lessen over time, even though the challenges remain. I wanted to do something small that acknowledged their continued journey and reminded them that they are still seen, valued, and not forgotten. I also thought about how much I personally enjoy having fresh flowers in my home and how they can bring a sense of beauty and comfort, even though they are not something I usually spend money on for myself. I wanted to share that same simple joy with others as a way of offering encouragement and a moment of lightness. Each bouquet also included a single yellow rose in memory of my late brother. Yellow roses were a meaningful symbol between him and my mom, and they serve as a reminder of him whenever we see them. Including that rose felt like a way to carry his memory into something kind and hopeful for others.
What was the 'Intentional Act of Kindness' process like for you? The Intentional Act of Kindness process was very meaningful to me. I knew right away what I wanted to do, and I felt a strong connection to the idea of doing something for the stroke survivors I work with. I also brought my daughter with me to help pick out the flowers so she could be part of the process and see what it looks like to intentionally show kindness to others. It was important to me to model that giving and thoughtfulness are things we can actively choose and involve the people we love in.
On the day of, I was extremely nervous. It felt vulnerable to show up in that way and offer something so simple, and I worried about how it would be received. I questioned whether it might feel too small or not meaningful enough. But those fears quickly faded when I saw their reactions. Everyone was genuinely happy and appreciative. They loved the bouquets and even took a group photo with them. It was incredibly moving to see their smiles and to realize that something so simple could bring that much joy. In the end, it reminded me that kindness does not have to be large or complicated to matter, it just has to be sincere.