ANNIE LANE

Dear Readers: This week, many Christians around the world observe Palm Sunday, the day that begins Holy Week. In the biblical story, crowds gathered along the road to welcome Jesus Christ as he entered Jerusalem. They waved palm branches and laid them on the path before him, celebrating with hope and joy.

Palm branches were symbols of peace and victory in the ancient world. The people in the crowd believed they were witnessing the arrival of someone who would change everything for the better. For a moment, there was a feeling of unity, excitement and possibility in the air.

What makes Palm Sunday so meaningful is not only the celebration but also what follows. The same week that begins with cheering crowds moves quickly into a time of challenge, reflection and uncertainty before arriving at the renewal symbolized by Easter.

In many ways, that pattern mirrors our own lives. We all experience moments when things seem full of promise, followed by times that test our patience or resilience. Palm Sunday reminds us that life rarely moves in a straight line. Joy and struggle often sit side by side, and the way we move through those moments helps shape who we become.

Even for those who don’t observe the religious tradition, the spirit of Palm Sunday carries a message that speaks to everyone: the power of welcoming others. The people in the story expressed their hope through a simple act: greeting someone with an open heart.

Today, those gestures might look different, but they still matter. Holding the door for someone. Offering a kind word to a stranger. Checking in on a friend who has been unusually quiet. Choosing patience instead of irritation in a stressful moment.

These small acts may not feel dramatic, but they help create a world where people feel seen and valued. And often, they ripple outward in ways we never fully realize.

Palm Sunday invites us to pause and consider what we are bringing into the lives of others. Are we adding a little more encouragement, understanding and grace to the spaces we share?

The truth is, most of us are walking through something — a challenge, a hope, a quiet worry we carry with us each day. A moment of kindness can remind someone they’re not alone.

So as this week begins, it may be worth asking a simple question: What kind of welcome are we offering the people who cross our paths?

Sometimes the most meaningful victories are not loud or dramatic. They are the quiet choices we make each day to meet the world with compassion, humility and hope.

Dear Annie: This situation has been bothering me for four years and is much more complicated, but I’ll try to be brief. I’m a horticulturist and plant collector and have lived in my home for 38 years. I’ve put my extra time and money into my perennial flower beds, and some of the plants in my collection are worth as much as $200.

Whenever my husband and I leave town — which happens often in the summer when we stay in another state — someone comes into our yard and digs up plants and flower bulbs. At first, I thought my son had taken them, but he said he hadn’t and then became angry when I asked if he had given anyone permission to do so.

In the past couple of years, things have escalated. While we were away, someone also took antiques from our home. This started around the time my husband sold his company and we came into several million dollars. I’ve begun to wonder whether resentment over that could be part of this — maybe even my own family members who feel they should be getting an early inheritance.

I’ve already gone to the police and am considering speaking with a lawyer. I also discovered unknown IP addresses logged onto my Wi-Fi while we were gone that appear to have bypassed my security system. This is a serious crime, so I’m hesitant to prosecute, but I believe I have a case.

My husband is battling lung cancer, and I’m already under enough stress. I feel this is totally diabolical and that my son needs to know, but I don’t know how to bring it to light. What can I do? — A Very Sad Baba

Dear Sad Baba: Losing plants and treasured belongings is upsetting under any circumstance, but even more troubling is the feeling that your home has been violated.

Before assuming the worst, focus on practical steps. Every incident should be documented with the police. If you don’t already have security cameras, consider installing them. Ask an IT professional to review your home network to see whether it has truly been compromised. After four years of this, consulting a lawyer is more than reasonable. It’s essential. See what options you may have.

And yes, come clean with your son about what’s been happening. Stick to the facts rather than suspicions. Whether he knows more than he first let on or not, time will tell. But he should know what you’ve been dealing with, and you deserve to share the burden with someone.

You’ve endured this quietly for far too long. It’s time to bring this into the open and start protecting yourself and your home.

“Out of Bounds: Estrangement, Boundaries and the Search for Forgiveness” is out now! Annie Lane’s third anthology is for anyone who has lived with anger, estrangement or the deep ache of being wronged — because forgiveness isn’t for them. It’s for you. Visit www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Follow Annie Lane on Instagram at @dearannieofficial. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.