12/28/2025
The Gift of Communication: Reflections from a Winter Walk
Walking along a quiet dirt road, snow dusting the ground and the sun shining overhead, I found myself slowing down and thinking. Really thinking. Time away from the busyness of daily life—especially time spent with family—has a way of bringing clarity. It reminded me how much I value connection, reflection, and the simple act of being present with the people (and animals) I love.
During family gatherings, I’m often asked how work is going and whether I’m still running my practice. The answer is always yes—and I love what I do. But being surrounded by relatives also highlights why my work matters so deeply. Like many families, mine includes individuals with hearing loss. Some wear hearing aids consistently; others have them tucked away in a drawer, forgotten or unused.
One conversation with my mother-in-law stood out to me. She shared that she doesn’t notice much difference when she wears her hearing aids compared to when she doesn’t. From her perspective, things seem mostly the same. But those of us speaking with her experience something very different. When she wears them, she misunderstands less, follows conversations more easily, and is able to participate in a more meaningful way. The connection feels smoother, more natural—more shared.
This experience reminded me how easy it can be to dismiss communication challenges, whether they involve hearing, speech sounds, or forming clear, grammatically correct sentences. Often, the person experiencing the difficulty may not fully notice what’s missing. But communication is about more than just the individual—it’s about the exchange between people. It’s about being understood and understanding others.
At its core, communication connects us. When it breaks down, people can feel isolated, frustrated, or left out—especially during the holiday season, when togetherness is supposed to be front and center. Clear communication allows us to share stories, laughter, opinions, and emotions. It strengthens relationships. Without it, even crowded rooms can feel lonely.
These reflections brought me back to why I do this work. As a speech-language pathologist, my goal is to help people better understand when others communicate with them and to help them express their own ideas clearly. Everyone deserves to feel valued, understood, and like they belong. Improving communication isn’t just about skills—it’s about dignity, confidence, and connection.
Interestingly, I’m reminded of this lesson daily by someone who doesn’t speak English at all: my dog, Rico. Rico communicates beautifully without words. Through eye contact, gentle nose pokes, posture, and even a well-timed eyebrow lift, he lets me know exactly how he’s feeling. Our ability to understand each other is a testament to how powerful communication can be when we’re truly paying attention.
Communication doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective—but it does need to be accessible. Whether through hearing aids, speech therapy, alternative communication strategies, or simple awareness, supporting communication opens the door to deeper relationships.
This season of reflection has reminded me that communication is one of the greatest gifts we can give and receive. It keeps us connected, included, and understood—and that’s something worth nurturing all year long.
