My four-letter word is: CAKE.

Cake can be a symbol of celebration, rejoicing, surviving the world, relationships, oneself.

For me, one of my earliest memories is of a birthday with a special cake just for me, smiles, singing, family, gifts. It looked colorful and ideal on the surface, a big celebration where my family behaved like everything was really great even though it wasn't. But hidden inside the performance was the sweet medicine I actually needed: feeling adored and awe in receiving an unexpected gift. Time stood still and that small moment of pause outlasted the performance.