“It is wise to believe something wonderful

is about to happen”. ~Anonymous

Welcome to Surviving with Dr. Chrissie — a space where truth meets healing and survival turns into purpose. I created this platform to give voice to the stories we’re often told to silence — the ones shaped by trauma, resilience, faith, and the long road to becoming whole again. Here, we talk about real life: the hard days, the messy healing, and the moments of grace that remind us we’re still standing. Through honest conversations, survivor stories, and a little bit of humor and hope, Surviving with Dr. Chrissie is more than a podcast or a blog — it’s a community. Because surviving isn’t the end of the story; it’s where the rebuilding begins.

Breath Mama!

Daily writing prompt
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

One random encounter that’s always stayed with me happened in the most ordinary place—a grocery store parking lot. I was rushing, juggling kids, bags, and my patience, when one of those “everything is slipping out of your hands” moments hit. Out of nowhere, a woman—probably in her 60s—walked up, smiled, and said, “Breathe, mama. You’re doing just fine.” Then she helped me load my groceries, talked to my kids like they were the most important little humans on earth, and hugged me before she left.

She didn’t know me. Didn’t owe me anything. But in that moment, she saw me. Not just the chaos, but me. And that little act of kindness felt like someone had wrapped me in a warm blanket of understanding. I never got her name, but her words stuck. Sometimes, it takes just one gentle reminder from a stranger to keep you going.

One response

  1. Some moments arrive like a soft tap on the shoulder from the universe, just when you’re about to drop everything—including your patience.

    That woman didn’t just help with groceries. She helped carry the invisible weight too—the kind that clings to your back when no one’s looking. “Breathe, mama” wasn’t advice. It was a lifeline, thrown into the middle of a grocery store storm.

    We often think strength is in doing it all. But sometimes, true strength is found in one deep breath… taken between a runaway shopping cart and a toddler meltdown.

    Strangers like her don’t stay long. They just walk in, straighten the mess in your heart like a quick breeze through a cluttered room, then vanish—leaving behind a little more air and a lot more hope.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Impact Forward! A place for survivors and resources!

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading