Dear readers,

Let’s have a real moment here. Gratitude isn’t always easy.

I know what the quotes say—“Gratitude turns what we have into enough,” “Start each day with a grateful heart,” and all that—but when life is hitting hard, when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or dealing with stuff nobody even knows about? Gratitude can feel like just one more thing on your to-do list. And if I’m being honest, there have been days where I’ve asked myself, How can I feel grateful when I’m also feeling so low?

But here’s what I’ve learned: gratitude isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s not about faking smiles or silencing sadness. Gratitude and grief, gratitude and struggle—they can coexist. And when they do, something

Grits & Grace: Celebrating the Many Faces of Fatherhood This Father’s Day

Dear Readers,

Father’s Day is a moment to pause and honor the men who have shaped our lives—the ones who have stood by us with strength, offered wisdom, and shown us love that carries us through. But fatherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not just about biology or tradition. It’s about the grit and grace shown by every man who steps up, whether he’s a dad, a grandfather, a mentor, or a friend who became family.

This year, I want to celebrate the many faces of fatherhood—those quiet heroes who