This post is dedicated to “H” and “H” —my two favorite single-mom refugees in all the world— from two different countries. I love you both. You’ve been an inspiration to me since the first day we met.

My Maddie is heading off to college and I'm getting left behind. The idea of being the one left behind is a relatively new concept to me. Most of my life I’ve been the one actually doing the leaving and exploring and adventuring.