When grief, guilt, and familial expectations all come together, it can be difficult to prioritize yourself.

However, even in the darkest moments, people opt to keep their own peace

Our reader recounted her tragic decision to embark on the dream trip she and her husband had been saving for,

just days after her 15-year-old stepson disappeared. While many would have preferred to remain behind,

she decided that honoring her own needs, after years of sacrifice, had to come first, even if it meant confronting judgment and suffering.

My husband and I have been together for 11 years, and throughout that time, we never once managed to take a proper vacation.

For the last three years, we had saved every dollar possible to finally enjoy our dream cruise.