We call it letting people be. Generous, we think.
Let them mispronounce the word.
Let them talk your ear off about the thing that lights them up.
But sit with that word. Let.
To let someone means you believed you could have stopped them.
That a switch sat under your thumb, and you chose, kindly, not to flip it.
Nobody handed you that switch.
Their joy never came to you for approval.
The wrong syllable, the overlong story, the passion you don't share.
None of it was waiting on your yes.
The kindness was never in the permission.
It's realising nobody appointed you to give it.