We stayed up late that night, playing board games and laughing until our sides ached. No one sat on the sofa watching football while I cleaned; they formed a literal assembly line to wash the dishes and put away the leftovers. The house felt bigger than it ever had, not because of the square footage, but because the hearts inside it had finally expanded to hold some gratitude. I wasn’t a caterer anymore; I was just a brother, an uncle, and a friend.
This experience taught me that boundaries aren’t walls designed to keep people out; they are gates that ensure only respect and love are allowed in. Sometimes you have to let the “pipes burst” in other people’s lives so they can learn how to appreciate the warmth you provide.
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