We’re almost halfway through the year, and what a century 2025 has already been. As summer approaches, my wish is that you find a way to slow down and savor even the smallest sweet moments before they melt into memories.
In my own home, we are preparing to celebrate an exciting milestone: Our son, Sol, is graduating from high school this June. You’re tired of hearing this, but the years really do fly. So even if you’ve had a rough day with a colicky baby or a sulking tween, take heart. Nothing marks time like watching a child grow from a warm, squirmy bundle to a crawling-then-toddling tiny human to a teen who has suddenly taken over your steering wheel and is driving you to dinner.
Which is what Sol (who just got his driver’s license yesterday) will be doing tonight. To celebrate my birthday, he’s driving the family to one of L.A.’s hottest new restaurants, Sampa Los Angeles, where chef Josh Espinosa and his team have created a Filipino-American fusion that is surprising, delicious and fun. Both elastic and full of depth, the culinary creations are inspired by Espinosa’s family memories and his knowledge of global cuisine. As my son closes one chapter and prepares to begin another — college in the fall — I hope he, likewise, will discover a passion that pulls from his roots while also reaching for new terrain.
No matter how grim the world sometimes feels — or how hard the days can grind watching our children reach for their individual milestones (with extra emphasis on “individual”) — raising children gives us a daily dose of vitamin H, aka hope.
Nevertheless, this work of caregiving, teaching and loving is draining, so we focused this issue on travel and wellness. In “Grappling with Parental Guilt,” Melissa Monroe takes our breath away with a devastating personal story, then resuscitates us by narrating how she learned to let go of guilt and embrace healing — and how we can, too.
In poet Shonda Buchanan’s essay, “Mothers: Parent Yourself,” heed her advice now, before the kids grow up.
This Teacher Appreciation Month, consider former classroom teacher Jamie Mayes’ words as she makes a strong case for how teacher wellness is our collective responsibility.
Live vicariously through Digital Editor Nina Harada and Creative Director Elena Epstein as they guide us through parts of New England and Canada. And if you’ve never traveled with more than your clan but think multifamily getaways sound like a fun idea, check out Amelia Lopez’s tips on how to pull them off successfully.
Like life, not all of those trips will be wholly successful, but when you look back years from now, you’ll remember the fleeting moments that were sweet or hilarious. And you’ll be glad you have the photos that captured them.
