When it's very hard for them...

17 September 2025: Thinking today about the student who met with me to talk about her coursework. She got a text midway through our conversation that clearly unnerved her. I could see her losing focus and getting noticeably uneasy the more we talked. 

When we were done, I said, "Are you okay?" 

And out it all came, tears and all: she's struggling with a health issue and can't find a provider in the area who takes her parents' insurance. Because she isn't getting treatment, it's impacting her relationship with a live-in partner. That partner now says they need to break up. And not live together. All of this, all at once. With the world on fire. And classes. And a job. 

"I try to keep it all inside, but it's hard." 

What could I say? 

I made sure she was okay and safe. (She said she was.) I made sure she was connected with campus resources. (She is.) 

And I told her that I was cheering for her and that it all sounded really hard and that I was sorry. And that she could do it--she could and would get through it all, but that it sucks that she has to. Told her again how fond we are all of her. That I was here if she needed me. Told her to go to the library, get herself a treat, and be kind to herself. And she left. 

And I am still thinking about it.

God forbid we had a working health care system for everyone. 

Every semester, so many conversations like these. Every semester.