Hiran Costello

My family immigrated to America when I was 5 years old. I didn’t speak English and my parents put me in 1st grade. Having been born premature; I was already tiny for my age and it was apparent as everyone else in class was a year older. Starting with a challenge helped build resilience for what was to come - repeated miscarriages, an abusive marriage, being a single parent and surviving cancer. I didn’t talk about these things as I was raised never to complain. I know better now. We are all fighting a battle and it’s alright to be vulnerable. We never know what’s happening behind closed doors or closed hearts. It’s necessary for us to extend grace wherever possible and to be human and be kind.