As the curtains closed on my Gramma’s life she had one request, “take me with you.” Those were the some of the most important words my gramma ever spoke. With little time to live she took the opportunity to ask her daughter for what she wanted. “When I die have me cremated and take me with…
Bring on the temporary distractions from life. Pull up the curtain and strike up the band. Let the shows begin. Theatres, stages, concerts, and comedy shows are welcoming larger crowds. Performers are once again sharing their talents with captivated audiences. Audiences are craving the feelings of love, joy, and pleasure, collectively. We want to laugh…
Every day is a beautiful day in my neighborhood because I’m blessed to have incredible neighbors. Though Mr. Rogers and Tony Danza don’t come by, and Big Bird isn’t really invited, our neighborhood has no shortage of characters or camaraderie. We genuinely care for and about each other. Our friendships are especially unique as we…
These days dinner reservations are practically a must. Lately, my house is no exception. Connecting over the dinner table has always been a priority in our household. At least five nights a week, the four of us dine together. We share the trials and triumphs of our days. We laugh, discuss, interject, and interrupt. These…
At three-years-old and not more than three-feet tall, my sweet, little Emily blurted out a statement I didn’t understand. With one hand on her hips and the other extended towards me like a stop sign, she said, “Mom I’m giving you the board!” “What?” “I’m giving you the board!” Repeatedly, I tried to grasp what…
I have learned not to begrudge my hardships, because of the insight they provide later. Each experience of life is preparing me for whatever is next. This idea is a reminder that no matter what comes my way, or how bad a situation is, there is ultimately a good reason. Recently this notion became abundantly…
After living together only a few months, my husband and I were still getting used to one another’s habits. We were learning what was worth mentioning as a bother, and what was better to simply let go of altogether. There weren’t many kinks to be worked out, but there was one reoccurring issue that I…
Surprisingly, the most common question I have received after the publication of Pink Elephants, has been, “How did you and Tyler manage to stay married?” The most honest answer I can offer is communication and respect. We verbalized and granted one another the space each of us needed during our family’s time of crisis. When…
Move the “S” at the beginning of SWORD to the end and you have WORDS. Completely different in their meanings, but surprisingly similar in how they are used. Words can be easily wielded as a weapon. Swords and words are both capable of cutting deeply or wounding severely, especially when misused. They are powerful and…
Not long after I released my first book Pink Elephants, a fellow author approached me with the idea that we exchange reviews for one another. Admittedly, I had some hesitation. Her book was of the dystopian genre which is not usually of interest to me. My book, is a memoir. (if you are receiving this…