She is so articulate. Even as she is crumbling into tears, she can knows exactly what is bothering her and why she’s sad.

Today it’s that her sister is going on a field trip during the school day. Natalie won’t be there during lunch and recess to hug her and play with her. And Maggie takes comfort in seeing her sister during her school day.

It’s a big deal to be five, away from home all day. With her sister gone, she feels lost and alone.

She doesn’t want anyone to see her cry, so she goes into the bathroom, wipes her eyes, and comes out with a brave face.

You know what? I feel exactly the same way sometimes.

Being a business owner is a huge responsibility, and even when business is going well, I have those moments that I want to go off and hide and cry. I feel like I need to wipe my eyes and then present to the world with a brave face.

If you asked me, I could clearly articulate what’s bothering me, explain it step by step. And there is some comfort in confiding in a friend, in having someone else know what’s going on in my life.

I want to talk about it.I want to be heard. I want to be understood. I want to know I’m not alone.

When Maggie crumbles into tears the moment she gets in the van after school, I want to gather her into my arms, to let her tears wet my cheeks. I want to be able to fix it, and be there with her. I want to make it easier.

She doesn’t want me to make it better. She doesn’t want me to hold her — not yet. These days, what she really wants is to talk about it. She wants to be heard. She wants me to listen. She wants me to understand. And she wants her sister to be there at lunch to hug her.

She’s not so different from her mom.

Growing up is hard.