When Heartbreak Hits Home: In Response to the Hill Country Flooding

As a counselor and a mother, I write this with a heavy heart — one that is grieving alongside so many of you. The tragic flooding in the Texas Hill Country, impacting Camp Mystic and the surrounding area, has shaken our community in ways that feel both personal and collective. Here in Dallas, we are grieving alongside families who have lost children, who are still waiting for word, and who are trying to navigate and survive the unimaginable.

This tragedy is not just a headline — it is deeply personal. These are our children, our neighbors, and our friends. Whether your child is safe, missing, or among those we have lost, words can never be enough. And whether you’re grieving directly or simply heartbroken by the magnitude of what has happened, it is okay to be at a loss. There are no words that can truly hold the weight of this sorrow.

While there is no “right” way to navigate this devastation and heartbreak, I want to share a few gentle reminders with the hope that they may bring comfort, steadiness, or hope to you or someone you love.

Your Feelings Are Valid

Right now, you might be overwhelmed by heartache, fear, anger, or confusion. Or maybe you just feel numb. You may be crying at unexpected moments, short-tempered with the people you love, or unsure of how to keep moving through your day. These can all be natural reactions to profound grief and sudden loss. When tragedy strikes close to home, our emotional systems respond in all kinds of ways. Every feeling is valid.

Grief Has No Rules

Grief is deeply personal and it rarely looks the same from one person to the next. There is no “right” way to grieve, no standard timeline to follow, and no perfect words that can ease the pain. You might be grieving your child’s friend, a neighbor’s daughter, or simply the overwhelming sense of loss rippling through our community. Whether or not you are directly connected, your heartache is real. If you are hurting, your feelings matter and your grief is real.

This Is Collective Trauma — And It Hurts Deeply

This tragedy does not just affect individuals. It has shaken the core of our entire community. It has brought painful, impossible questions about safety, fairness, and how we protect the people we love. It has stirred anxiety in children and left parents feeling helpless. Many of us are asking: How do we even begin to move forward from something like this? It is ok to not have the answer right now. Healing will take time. Eventually, we will be able to move forward together. Slowly, gently, and with the help and support of each other.

Be Honest About Your Feelings

As we work to manage the heavy emotions this tragedy brings and try to stay strong for those around us, it is important to acknowledge and express our true feelings. It is okay to admit when we are overwhelmed, scared, or unsure. Reach out to someone you trust — a partner, friend, or counselor. You can write your thoughts and feelings down if that helps. Sometimes simply sitting with someone who listens can make a big difference.

Remember, there is strength in being honest and asking for support when you need it.

You Are Not Alone — We Are In This Together

As a mom, I feel the pain and heartache alongside you. As a counselor, I know that healing is possible. It starts by honoring exactly where you are right now - heartbroken, uncertain, and raw. Please reach out to the people around you for support. This can be a partner, family member, friend, or professional.

If you or your child are struggling and would like professional support, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our practice is here to provide a safe, compassionate space to talk, cry, and begin making sense of this tragedy.

A Final Word Of Care

There is no roadmap for navigating this tragedy. There is a way forward, and it starts with compassion. Be gentle with yourself, with your family, and with those around you. Whatever you are feeling right now, it matters and you do not have to carry it alone.

Take a deep breath. Hold your loved ones close. And remember it is okay to not be okay. We are here with you. You are not alone.