Hi everyone, welcome to thanks for being here.

A short weekly pod to remind us of the many essential and beautiful ways we affect one another.

Every Sunday I'll read a submission from a listener of Kelly Corrigan Wonders.

Could be wedding vows or about mitzvah toast, a eulogy or retirement speech.

We believe this is the loveliest way to tap into our better selves.

And remember our highest values.

We encourage you to share this podcast each week with one person you love.

Maybe someone you miss or need to bring closer.

Someone you want to feel your appreciation or admiration or both.

This, this thanks for being here.

This week's thanks for being here as a college essay that was submitted by a mom named Kelly Worm.

She says, I'm a huge fan of all you do.

I fully connect with your perspective on most things.

And feel like I've grown as a mother, person, friend and wife from listening to your podcast.

I thank you for supporting me through the high school college stage of mothering and teaching me so many truths.

I'm sharing my oldest daughter's college essay that was written in the height of the pandemic.

She's currently a sophomore at the University of Florida.

This essay is a beautiful tribute to the family we have built.

It illustrates the appreciation of connectedness and family traditions that we often think teenagers disdain.

This essay is especially poignant because I came from family trauma.

I score a nine out of ten on the adverse childhood experiences quiz.

My mother was married seven times, had serious drug issues and abandoned my sister and me more than once.

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