Holly Rampone

When the NICU Calls You Back Some time after Lola and I were finally discharged from the NICU, I got a call that left me in tears. Not the kind of tears that come from fear or exhaustion—but tears of gratitude. They wanted to know: would I serve as a parent advocate on the board planning the build-out of a brand-new, state-of-the-art NICU? Umm… yes. A thousand times yes! For context: the old NICU was one large, dimly lit room divided by flimsy curtains. Privacy didn’t exist—you could hear the...

The Art of Resilience Preemies arrive early, small, fragile, and surrounded by monitors, tubes, and alarms. Every parent knows that first sight in the NICU can feel like your world has just shattered. I know this firsthand. I am here to tell you though, that feeling "broken" doesn’t mean ruined. It’s precious. It’s powerful. It’s Kintsugi. For those of you who have never heard of Kintsugi- it is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding the cracks, artists...

Discover how fear is often just a desire for control, and how letting go can bring peace, presence, and awe. Lessons from hiking Colorado 14ers inspire personal growth and mindful living.