Passed on by the women who went before me and fueled by our culture It’s another hot day in Texas. I put on a bathing suit and head out to sit on the patio, where I can enjoy the poolside view. Looking sideways, I catch a glimpse of myself reflected in the sliding glass door. There … Read more
Accept people will come and go. Five years ago, when I lost my husband to cancer, I never could have imagined my new life. I now live in a different state and write full-time instead of counseling clients. I knew his death would bring change, just not how or in what way. I especially could have … Read more
Grieving Don’t Need Pity, Just the Freedom to Mourn In our way, in our time, and for long as it lasts. It’s been nearly five years since my husband died — the anniversary of his death is in a couple of weeks. You would think I would move through the grieving stages. To be done and through this … Read more
For women, such confidence and ease is never simple. As I dressed this morning, I picked up the perfume I’d recently purchased and give myself two quick sprays. I love the sweet scent of the pink liquid housed in a gorgeous glass bottle with a gold-colored stopper. I found it while wandering the duty-free shop during … Read more
At least it is today as I remember my husband on our wedding anniversary. The calendar rolled over to today’s date, May 19, and my mind flashed to where I was thirty-six years ago. I can’t believe as I celebrate this day, I do so as a widow. A starry-eyed new college graduate, today was … Read more
It took patience, determination, and gentleness I stared at the blinking cursor and drew a blank as I tried to recall what happened next. This morning I had opened my Word document to start the next chapter and discovered a significant gap in recall. The particulars of this time frame had gone missing. For several … Read more
My Son’s No-Win Healthcare Decision “Mom, I wanted to let you know I just spoke to the doctor about my cancer treatment. About whether or not I’m going to continue with chemotherapy,” my son texted me. “What did you decide?” I asked. I knew this moment would come. I held my breath as I waited … Read more
The good news is that we are all doing this together. The other day I received a message from a friend that read: “I just needed to talk. To say these things to someone I know who gets it.” We hopped on a video call. Then, she began to cry. “Sorry, it’s all getting to … Read more
And it goes beyond the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a daily schedule. As I ended the video call with my online friends, it hit me how stressed we all are. The whole world is facing the likes of something several generations have never seen before. How are we supposed to combat … Read more
A closer look at our uncomfortableness with trauma stories. I recently wrote about the personal details of being sexually abused. I felt terrified as I prepared to publish the article. How would others react to reading the brutal violence I experienced? The power of social pressure to silence Most of my life, I’ve carried a deep sense … Read more
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