I blinked, and I was in the middle of a nightmare I didn’t know how to wake up from...

I’ve been staring at the date on the calendar. Today is my mom’s birthday, or it would have been if she were still here.

I wasn’t going to talk about any of this yet. I didn’t know if I could keep it together long enough to get the words out. But my gut told me to do this now, even if my thoughts aren't perfect. Even if I can't keep it together long enough to get the words out.

In this episode, I’m sharing how my life was interrupted last August. I’m looking back at the things I missed—the small signs that she was struggling and the things she kept from me. I’m talking about the anger I feel, the what-ifs that keep me up at night, and the reality of becoming a caregiver almost overnight.

This is just the beginning of the story. I’m not sharing this because I am through the grief. I’m sharing it because this is exactly where I am. In themiddle of the ache that hasn't died.

In this episode I share:

The shock of realizing life is no longe r"normal." Why I’m still angry about the things she didn't tell me. The transition from daughter to caregiver. Dealing with the numbness and confusion of early grief.

Thank you for listening and for giving me the space to say these things out loud.

If you’re in the middle of something hard too, I hope you give yourself a little grace today. Even if all you can do is keep going.

Grace Lives Here is made from moments like this one. If your story connects to it, you’re part of it too.

You can reach me here: https://secondstorystudios.org

Or email me directly at: secondstorystudios.creative@gmail.com

Substack: Kris Sinclair Writes

When the person closest to you triggers the version of yourself you’ve worked so hard to leave behind, how do you find your way back?

In this deeply personal and unfiltered episode of Grace Lives Here, I’m stepping behind the mic from a place I usually try to hide. The "in-between." After a small comment escalated into a night of spiraling, self-doubt, and the temptation to "burn it all down," I’m exploring why progress feels so fragile and why we are so quick to question our worth when things get uncomfortable.

We often think we have to wait until we are past the chaos before we can share our story or help others. But today, I’m realizing that grace doesn't wait for the finished product.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Unbecoming Process: Why healing is less about "becoming" and more about undoing the patterns that no longer serve us.

• Handling Triggers: How to navigate the "injury talking" when unguarded moments with loved ones make us feel small.

• The Power of Being Unfinished: Why it’s okay to offer light and hope even on the days you can’t see it clearly for yourself.

• Self-Blame vs. Responsibility: Learning to take ownership of our healing without falling into the trap of self-punishment.

If you’ve ever felt like walking away because you took one step forward and two steps back, this episode is for you. We are allowed to be works in progress. We are allowed to need time.

Because right here—in the middle of the undoing—is exactly where Grace lives.

Grace Lives Here is made from moments like this one. If your story connects to it, you’re part of it too.

You can reach me here: 👉 https://secondstorystudios.org

Or email me directly at: 👉 secondstorystudios.creative@gmail.com

— Kris

Episode 4: I Survived, But I Wasn’t Free Yet

We talk a lot about surviving hard things. We don’t talk nearly enough about what happens after.

In this episode of Grace Lives Here, I share what it looked like to survive a life-altering illness and realize that survival didn’t automatically mean peace. The danger had passed, but my body hadn’t gotten the message yet. We talk about panic, a nervous system stuck on high alert, and why you can look “fine” on the outside while still bracing for impact on the inside. I share what I didn’t understand then, what I’m learning now, and how listening to your body instead of fighting it can be the next step forward. This episode includes: What it means to live in the after of survival Why your body can stay on guard long after the threat is gone A simple, honest invitation to journal without fixing or forcing Gentle prompts to help you listen to what your nervous system has been carrying

If you’ve ever thought, I made it through… so why doesn’t it feel over? This conversation is for you. No pressure. No homework. Just space to breathe, listen, and begin again. Because this is where Grace lives.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel like sharing your story — even if you’re still right in the middle of it — I’d love to hear from you.

Grace Lives Here is a space for honest about healing, fear, and becoming the person you were meant to be. And that includes your voice.

You can reach me here: https://secondstorystudios.org Or email me directly at: secondstorystudios.creative@gmail.com — Kris