My Mom Video-called me at Starbucks on a Sabbath Morning and Didn’t Judge Me.

And that is HUGE

I grew up in an environment where church came before self. All our life revolved around it since my dad was a pastor. The church’s reputation was more important than one’s mental health.

Today, when she called, I had the option to ignore her. But I didn’t want to be ashamed of my coping tools and my daily fight against agoraphobia.

Seventh-day Adventist members do not go to restaurants during the Sabbath hours. It is a huge deal, and I knew that.

She could’ve accused me of “breaking the Sabbath” or made some facial expressions of disapproval, which I grew up seeing.

But she didn’t judge me.

She ignored the background noise of the coffee machines and customers ordering their drinks. She listened, loved me and encouraged me.

Thank you, Ma.