I went to a “geriatrics” Sadie Hawkins New Years event in college and donned my 1970’s polyester peach pantsuit that a floormate had brought back to the dorm in a large black trash bag after helping an older woman clean out her closet. With black bowling style shoes, makeup overdone, and hair dusted with baby … Continue reading Geriatric Wheelchair Races and Talking About Sex Have Something In Common
Gracefully Strong, Fearlessly Compassionate
It is just another weekday morning in my dimly lit, cool home, where I comfortably eat my overnight oats and French eggs at the oak table passed down from my paternal grandparents. The table reminds me of my grandparents quite often. Ironically, I have been asking myself a lot of questions lately about my present … Continue reading Gracefully Strong, Fearlessly Compassionate
Beautifully Broken
This post was written by a fellow, beautifully broken friend, Katie Walker. She is an example of grace in fire. I am grateful for her permission to publish this. I made minimal edits but wanted to keep the integrity of her words.If you want to see what she is up to, check out her personal … Continue reading Beautifully Broken
Ride the Wind, Friends
Photo Credit: Sara DelPrete, taken by the North Branch of the Tunkhannock Creek (Pennsylvania) My porch is a bit of a sanctuary, albeit a cluttered one. It is one of the few places I can go where no one else is around. Two 9-year-old, gray gravity chairs rest upon the newly replaced wooden wraparound porch, … Continue reading Ride the Wind, Friends
Small Victories
Photo by Eva Elijas on Pexels.com Life began burying me in March, and digging out seems to be a terrifyingly impossible challenge. Triggers, similar to those in 2015, have left me in a parallel universe where what is happening now is blended with things that either have not happened or occurred years ago. Grief, anxiety, … Continue reading Small Victories
Shed The Expectations
Hopping on the Encanto Bandwagon My therapist in Utah contacted me one day to ask me if I had seen the movie Encanto. He told me he had watched it with his daughter and thought of me. According to him, one of the characters was a near-perfect portrayal of me. (He did not tell me … Continue reading Shed The Expectations
A Snapshot
“Coat and shoes,” I repeat for the fifth time. This time I think he processes it because he grabs his shoes, but only one shoe goes on. Ian gives a voice to his random thoughts as he sets his other shoe down. “Mom, did you know that in Minecraft the axolotl…” I am trying to … Continue reading A Snapshot
2022 Intention Part Two: Open Chest, Breathe, Open Mind
The depth of my self-reflections and recent individual experiences have been a long time in the making. For that reason, I cannot rush into sharing my intention. What I can do is share pieces of revelations and growth to get both of us there. Mindfulness Meditation, Teachers, and the Breath Mindfulness, as defined by Jon … Continue reading 2022 Intention Part Two: Open Chest, Breathe, Open Mind
2022 Intention Part One: Lists of Eight
In November 2021 I excitedly told my therapist it had been nearly one year since I self-harmed. Just a few months before, I was convinced I would not make it to the 365-day mark, but with only twenty days left, I knew I could tough it out if needed. There was an element of pride … Continue reading 2022 Intention Part One: Lists of Eight
Sparkling Cider
Bacon is not a food I enjoy making. Grease spits everywhere! Before I am done frying the package, the skin on my arms is blotchy with burn marks, my clothes are spotted with grease stains, and the walls and stovetop need to be wiped down. One night, not that long ago, I had already mixed … Continue reading Sparkling Cider
Burn the Boat! 