12/31/2025
Charly’s Little Brave Heart Journey
There was a time when Charly loved the car. She was my tiny little driver girl, always ready to ride. But something shifted after she turned one. Riding stopped feeling safe for her, and my sweet girl would shake like a little leaf the whole time. So last year, I didn’t make her do it. I honored her nervous system, loved her where she was, and let her feel safe.
But a few days ago we decided to gently try again. Me, Brinnley, and Hannah invited her back into life. Day one, she was so scared. Her little body trembled the whole way. She didn’t even want her pup cup at the coffee shop. She just watched Hannah eat her cookie and Brinnley enjoy her pup cup like, “I want that feeling… but I’m not quite there yet.”
So we tried again. And again. And today… she walked out on her own. No convincing. No forcing. Just courage. She wasn’t shaking. She was curious. She was open. And not only did she ride, she ate her pup cup and wore it proudly all over her face like a little victory badge.
Watching her heal her fear by watching her sisters enjoy life reminded me… sometimes we don’t need to be pushed. Sometimes we just need to witness safety, see joy modeled, and be loved through the nervous shakes until our body finally says, “Maybe I can do this too.”
I’m so proud of you, Charly Rose. Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it just quietly walks to the car and tries again.
