Yesterday afternoon, I was at Donna’s ‘Love a Tree‘ event at Central Park. The park was filled with fresh May flowers, especially my favorite, tulips! At the heart of it all was the tree-planting event and I spotted Kate standing by a row of freshly planted saplings.

“Kate!” I called out, waving eagerly as I made my way over to her. It had been a while since we last met.

“Bob!” she exclaimed, her face lighting up. “It’s so good to see you!” We caught up for a bit before I sensed something amiss. I gently asked, “Everything alright, Kate?”

She hesitated before opening up about a recent argument she had with her mother. I could tell it was weighing on her mind.

Listening carefully, I said, “Kate, I’ve been there. Arguments with family can be tough, but there are ways to make things better:

Just talk: Approach your mother with kindness and be willing to hear her out, even if you don’t agree with everything she says.

Be open-minded: Acknowledge each other’s feelings and perspectives without judgment. It’s about finding common ground and understanding where each of you is coming from.

Actively listen: Give your mom the space to express herself without interruptions. Show genuine interest in what she has to say, and validate her emotions.

Don’t expect it to happen at one go: Remember, it’s okay to take things slow. Rebuilding takes time, so don’t rush. And be patient with each other.

Forgive when you can: Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing. Let go of resentment and choose compassion and understanding instead. Holding onto anger only hurts you in the end.”

I could see Kate visibly relax. Her expression softened as she said, “Bob, that’s really helpful! Thank you! I feel much better.” I smiled back.

Shortly thereafter, Kate and I wanted to eat some hamburgers and cookies being sold at the fundraising booths. So, we headed in that direction.

Arguments with family members are common, and sometimes conflicts occur. To fix them, listen to each other and understand different viewpoints. If you can, try to make peace with those you’ve had disagreements with, as life is too short to hold onto grudges. However, healing takes time, just like the seeds growing into trees. Be patient and nurture your relationships with forgiveness and communication. Without them, hurt lingers and bonds weaken. This spring, let your relationships blossom, much like the saplings planted at Donna’s event.