I placed my phone on the mango table, cradled the steaming cup of chai, and curled up on the oversized chair. I pulled a silky summer blanket over my legs and breathed in deeply as I took in the beauty of my surroundings. It was early on a summer morning, the house was quiet, and […]
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The Last Time
“I know you’re busy, so we will just drop these things on your porch and be on our way.” These were the words my mom shared with me less than 48 hours before she died. I had been working all morning and was barely hanging onto my sanity as I faced the darkened pit of […]
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Grief, Google, and the Passage of Time
My eyes opened and were enveloped in what seemed to be total darkness. As I waited for them to adjust to the nighttime shadows, I desperately attempted to disentangle myself from the sheets. The luxurious fabric that I so enjoy had become something akin to a straight jacket. Each toss and turn had produced a […]
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Grief, Gratitude, and Growth: Beginning a New Year Without a Loved One
A new year. A new decade. A new chapter. A slight smile develops as I cradle the steaming cup of tea in between my cool hands, briefly close my sleepy eyes, and slowly inhale the comforting aroma. I gently sigh, slowly sip the decadent liquid, and deliberately focus on the beauty in my surroundings. Holiday […]
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A Different Thanksgiving: Life After Loss
As I rounded the corner, it was painfully obvious that the parking lot was full. My plan to beat the holiday rush didn’t seem to be unfolding as I had hoped. I took a deep breath, sighed, and began the requisite circling. I eventually noticed the glowing back-up lights of a gray SUV. I switched […]
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Four Little Words
“Have a nice day.” Four little words. Usually well intended. Sometimes perfunctory. Mostly an offhanded exchange. Words that prompt you to move on with your life so the person saying them can advance to the next person, the next task, or the next issue. Some might say, “they’re only words.” But right now, these four […]
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The Year of the Poinsettia
This has unofficially been dubbed the year of the poinsettia. Well, in my mind it has. When I think back to the holiday season of 2018, my memories will be filled with gorgeous splashes of color. These lovely red flowers are brilliant reminders for me to pause, be thankful, and live in the moment. At […]
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The Words of Summer
I love words. I love spelling them. I love reading them. I love speaking them. They are powerful – magical. These combinations of little sounds can evoke extraordinary emotion. Words can start and end relationships. They can trigger instantaneous changes in mood. They can touch us at our very core. On some level, I knew […]
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Breathe and be Thankful
I woke early. Not because I wanted to, but because sleep had been somewhat elusive. Rather than toss and turn, I decided to embrace the moment. Well, embrace might be a bit of an exaggeration since I’m not really a morning person. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I decided to accept […]
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Children and the Wisdom of Connection
As I was walking across campus the other day, I was captivated by the beauty of my surroundings. The brilliant sunlight was streaming over the tops of buildings and magnifying the rich colors of the leaves around me. Some were stubbornly clinging to the trees, and others were cascading gently to the ground forming brilliant […]
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