It all began with a simple question about tuna salad: “How long does this last in the fridge?” But when my sister Peregrine asked, “Are you okay?”—I realized I wasn’t.
Six months earlier, I had lost my job and moved into her place, saying it would only be for a little while. She never rushed me—just quietly helped me while I felt lost. One night, she saw me eating expired tuna and gently said, “You don’t have to do this to yourself.” That night, I finally told her, “I don’t know how to start over.” She held my hand and said, “Then we’ll start small.”
We made a simple list: fix my resume, shower every day, apply for jobs. Slowly, I started moving forward. I got a job interview, and with her help, I got hired. We celebrated with sushi—no more tuna salad.
Then I found out she had been paying for everything—rent, food, bills—and was deep in debt. So, we made a new list. We created a budget, took extra jobs, and paid off every bit of it.
When we finally paid off all the debt, a neighbor came by asking for help. Peregrine didn’t even think twice—she let him in. Seeing her give to others, even when she didn’t have much, inspired me.
Then she lost her job too. I repeated her own words back to her: “Let’s start small.” We made her list together. It was hard—she cried and struggled—but she eventually found an even better job.
Our apartment became more than just a place to stay—it became a real home. One day, she made tuna salad again and laughed, “I’ll eat it before day three this time.” I smiled, knowing we had come full circle.
It wasn’t just about tuna salad. It was about learning to ask for help, to rebuild your life, and to take small steps—together.
So, how long does tuna salad last?
Three days. Maybe five.
But don’t wait that long to check in—especially with yourself.