February 21, 2026
Being a parent is a journey filled with responsibilities, worries, and concerns. As children grow older, those concerns don’t disappear—they simply evolve. Instead of asking your child to text you when they arrive at a friend’s house, you find yourself waiting for updates when they travel to places like South Carolina.
Taking on the role of a solo parent adds another layer to these worries. You become the one-person band, the gatekeeper for your family. Every situation that arises involves you in some way. I’m grateful for the wonderful relationship I share with my daughters; they respect my opinions, keep me informed, and support me—sometimes more than I expect.
Last week, my role as the family leader was put to the test. Julianna was involved in a car accident. Thankfully, she was safe and only suffered a few minor bruises. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same about her car. The very next day, Ava was scheduled to have all four of her wisdom teeth removed.
The silver lining in these events was that both of my daughters would be home, allowing me to care for them as they recovered. I couldn’t have been more grateful for the opportunity to be there for them.
As the girls rested and healed, and I found myself car shopping, I was also preparing for the sixth anniversary of Daria’s passing. My spiritual connection with Daria is deep, and I often feel her guiding us through both good and challenging times. Yet, in moments like these, I wished she could be here physically to help me navigate everything.
It felt overwhelming—like everything was happening at once. The proverbial poop was hitting the fan.
Over the past six years, I’ve learned the importance of giving myself time. Sometimes, you need to step off the merry-go-round, take a deep breath, and ground yourself. Feeding your soul with positive intentions helps you stay focused. This process looks different for everyone: it might mean taking a walk, exercising, reading, or even cleaning out a closet. Whatever helps you step away from stress and anxiety is worth embracing.
For me, cooking is a way to feed my soul. After a heavy week and with Daria’s anniversary approaching, I needed to return to the kitchen. As the girls continued to recover, I spent Sunday afternoon making a comforting pot of risotto and a rustic dish of baked chicken thighs, sausage, potatoes, and carrots. Cooking brought clarity and happiness back into my world, even if just for a few hours.
The key to truly benefiting from these soul-feeding moments is to carry that positive energy forward. Allow it to help you push through difficult days. With practice, I’ve found that the days following these moments become less painful and more positive. When Daria’s anniversary arrived, the girls and I were able to shut out the rest of the world and focus on our time together. There were no rules or schedules—just the peace of being where we needed to be. It was a day spent reflecting on the person who continues to guide and hold us together, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Whenever you find yourself facing stress, concern, or uncertainty, give yourself permission to step away and feed your soul. While it may not solve every problem, it will help you approach challenges with greater positivity and focus.
To read more about my experience with connections through senses, you can purchase my memoir, Reflections at domcondo.com