This past weekend, my heart held more than one truth at the same time.

I traveled to attend the funeral of my dear client and friend, JT—someone who came to me not because his life was “settled,” but because he still wanted to grow. Even after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, JT chose awareness, responsibility, and connection. He chose love.

And in that same weekend…

I celebrated my qualifier son’s 18th birthday. He’s now in his second semester at The Ohio State University and thriving in ways that once felt impossible.

And I celebrated my best friend’s 55th birthday.

Grief and joy. Loss and life. Endings and beginnings—coexisting in the same space.

Being part of Other Parents Like Me (OPLM) has taught me that this is often the reality for families like ours. We don’t get to feel one thing at a time. We carry pride and fear, hope and heartbreak, relief and uncertainty—sometimes all in the same day. And what I’ve learned through OPLM’s women’s groups, speakers, and resources is this: we don’t have to carry it alone.

JT originally found me because of the work I had done with my own son and the growth we experienced—not just as a mother and son, but as a family unit. That work, rooted in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and mindset coaching, isn’t about fixing people. It’s about helping them see themselves more clearly, respond more consciously, and show up with intention instead of reaction.

Even while facing a terminal diagnosis, JT said, “I still want to grow.”

That didn’t mean he suddenly became perfect. He didn’t. None of us do.

One of the areas we worked on was his relationship with his son—but it wasn’t the only one. We also explored how JT related to himself: his fears, regrets, emotional patterns, and sense of meaning.

What changed most was how he showed up.

He listened more.
He paused more.
He chose connection over control.

He became more emotionally present and more consistent in how he expressed care.

That’s what growth often looks like—not a dramatic transformation, but a series of small, conscious choices made with love.

JT’s personal motto—his way of living—was simple and powerful:

“Love Is Why.”

Love is why we do the hard inner work.
Love is why we stay in uncomfortable conversations.
Love is why we choose understanding over judgment.
Love is why we build families where people feel seen instead of managed.

As parents—especially those of us in the OPLM community—we learn that acceptance doesn’t mean approving every behavior. It means honoring each person’s humanity while still holding healthy boundaries. It means creating a family environment where individuality is respected and belonging is never in question.

And just as importantly…It means caring for ourselves, too.

Through OPLM, through my own NLP work, through meditation and physical fitness, I’ve learned that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s what allows me to stay regulated, present, and emotionally available for the people I love and for my clients.

Today, my qualifier son is flourishing, and I’m deeply grateful. But my work as a parent isn’t finished—it’s simply evolved.

Healing isn’t a one-time event.
Growth isn’t a finish line.
And love isn’t something we earn—it’s something we practice.

So whether you’re brand new to OPLM or have been here for a while, know this: you belong. Your story matters. Your effort matters. And every time you choose connection over control, compassion over judgment, and presence over perfection…

You’re doing the work.

And in every season—hard, hopeful, or somewhere in between—

Love is why.

Michele Blumenthal is the founder of M3: Mind and Motion with Michele, based in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Michele made a bold move at 52 to reset her life. A mom to two children, Arrie, a merchandiser for Abercrombie, and Zach, a senior in high school living in In Balance’s Sober Living community, Michele transitioned from a career as a fitness and nutrition coach to a mindset coach. She specializes in NeuroLinguistic Programming, Time Therapy, and Hypnotherapy, and is passionate about helping clients transform their behavior patterns to achieve physical and emotional wellness. You can reach out directly to Michele at micheledblumenthal@gmail.com.