Well, we blinked—and it’s August. But don’t give up on summer just yet. There’s still time, and I plan to soak in every last bit of sunshine, sleep, and yes—my favorite summer cocktails! Whatever it is that makes summer feel like summer for you, it’s time to make time for it. There’s still space to rest, reset, and savor the simple moments before the pace picks up again.

In my last note to you, my heart felt incredibly heavy. A beloved family in our town—so much like ours, with four children—suffered an unthinkable loss. Their oldest child and only son, Brandon, died in a tragic landscaping accident. He had just graduated with my oldest daughter. An exceptional athlete and a compassionate leader, teammate, and friend, Brandon was set to play lacrosse in college this fall. My heart continues to ache for his beautiful family.

How do we find anything good in the midst of such deep pain? It’s a question I’ve been sitting with over the past few weeks. Once again, I find myself returning to the both/and duality of life. Finding moments of goodness doesn’t erase the pain or diminish it—it simply offers us a way to move forward through it. Sometimes, these small glimmers of light are just enough to help us take the next step… and then another.

In these heartbreaking weeks, I’ve also witnessed moments of profound beauty—signs of love, unity, and compassion that rise up in grief’s shadow. One of those moments is something I want to share with you below. There is also an opportunity for you to uplift this grieving family and be part of one of these “good things” that gently light the way forward.

An Act of Beauty and Kindness

Upon returning home from their son’s wake, the Gmelin family turned onto their familiar street—only to be met with an overwhelming outpouring of love and light from their neighbors. What seemed like thousands of lanterns lined the road, stretching endlessly toward their home. I don’t know who first imagined this act of kindness or how many hands it took to bring it to life, but it was breathtaking. In what must have been one of the darkest moments of their lives, their community lit the way forward—one small light at a time.

See the video here.

If you feel moved to be part of this light, there is a beautiful way to carry Brandon’s legacy forward. A scholarship has been created in his name to support a student-athlete who embodies the same spirit Brandon was known for—leadership, kindness, integrity, and heart.

By contributing, you’re not only honoring his memory—you’re helping to ensure that his impact lives on in the life of another young person striving to make a difference, both on and off the field. Even in the face of unimaginable loss, love can build something lasting. This is one of those good things.

You can donate here to the Brandon Q. Gmelin Memorial Scholarship.

Awe and the Coldplay Concert

Yes, we were at that Coldplay concert in Boston—the one you’ve probably seen all over the internet. But honestly, that’s not what I’ll remember most.

Sharing this moment with Natalia, who will soon be off to college, is something I’ll treasure. But what struck me even more was that the night felt bigger than just a concert or even a mother-daughter memory.

A few weeks ago on the Today Show, I talked about a concept called collective effervescence—a term coined by sociologist Émile Durkheim to describe the energy, excitement, and connection that arise when people gather for a shared purpose. It’s a form of social bonding that transcends the individual and creates a deep sense of belonging, meaning, and joy.

If there’s ever been a definition of collective effervescence, a Coldplay concert might be it.

At one point, as our light-up wristbands blinked in perfect sync with 55,000 others, Natalia turned to me and said, “Look around—every single person is smiling.” She was right. Somehow, Chris Martin made tens of thousands of strangers feel love, unity, and pure joy—at the exact same time.

Well... maybe 55,000 minus two. But still, that's a miracle in my book.

Teen Sleep

When I actually sleep through the night without waking up feeling like I’m on fire, it’s rare, but always a good thing. I have enjoyed the slower summer pace—sleeping in a little later—and so have my teens, which is so important.

A new study from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that teens who get just two extra hours of sleep on the weekends show fewer symptoms of anxiety compared to those who don’t. Consistent good sleep is associated with better physical and mental health outcomes including attention, learning, memory, and emotional regulation—and the good thing is, it doesn’t take much more to see some of these results. So let those kids sleep in!

IIf you're a woman over 40, you need to know Leanne Morgan. She’s not only hilarious—her Netflix special had me and Ed Feliciano laughing out loud—but her story, as shared with Oprah on her podcast, is deeply inspiring. I highly recommend checking out both:

We decided not to travel this summer. Rather, we're savoring these weeks at home as a family before Natalia heads off to college. Still, I’ve been thinking fondly about our trip to Italy last summer. This photo of a café sign brings me right back—along with the memory of a cocktail that quickly became a favorite, and one I’m still enjoying this summer. 

Wishing you warm summer nights and new glimmers of light!

Why 3 Good Things?

Wellness isn’t one big thing—it’s three good things, or two good things, or five. It’s noticing the gifts of the life we have.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about “3 Good Things.” It’s the question I often ask my kids and one of my favorite gratitude practices.

Research shows that identifying three good things each day can actually rewire your brain from negativity to optimism in just 30 days. Follow along for my 3GT each week! And send me yours! I want to hear from you.