A running joke in our house is that our lives would make a damned good reality show. We would have enough material for multiple seasons, easily. I have chosen to start a blog instead.

Like many middle-class families living dead-centered in suburbia, we have the usual suspects: mom, dad, three kids, and three dogs. But like onions and ogres (according to Shrek) we have “layers”—each one more complicated than the next. On the surface we live a typical life. Underneath, not so much.

I suspect, though, that every family has its own layers grown through success and failure, joy and sorrow, pride and shame. If you’re anything like I was, the outside looks status quo and stays tough enough to withstand challenges. God forbid anyone see underneath. Despite my best efforts to stay unpeeled, however, God carved away that top layer. He knew I’d never do it on my own.

Being dissected is painful. But as each layer is exposed, I’m learning how to love those hidden parts and finding freedom in their unveiling.

I started this blog because I thought there might be other onions like mine. Other families struggling with peeling layers or maybe even layers still hidden. I’m writing for all of us. And that’s a hell of a lot better than reality T.V.