Before this week’s tutoring session, I received the announcement that in several weeks my assigned student, Zoey, a fifth grader, will have end-of-year proficiency tests in reading and math. I’m not certain, but I suspect these tests mainly benefit the tutoring organization, which annually must justify its existence to expand its reach as a tutoring […]
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On Location!
As I’ve relayed in previous posts, in February I traveled from Florida to my brother’s home in New York State with the urgent news that my mother was not doing well. I understood that this would most likely be my last visit with her. Unfortunately, I learned of her passing while on a layover in […]
Dear Hubby
St. Patrick’s Day 2024 marked two years since Erik took his last breath. This year seemed to be more challenging in different ways than I remembered year one being. It seemed to hit harder and more vivid. I was so much more aware of the situation and my feelings and everything that has happened since […]
the After
The aftermath of loss can be filled with many things. Exhaustion, pain, tears, hope, hopelessness, guilt, new friends, new perspective, more exhaustion, confusion, identity crisis, and so much more. The aftermath of coming home after a Camp Widow weekend experience can be filled with some of those same things. Going to Tampa and giving my […]
The “He(a)ling” Power of The Paw
My mom passed just a little over a month ago and I’m feeling that loss more strongly these days. It seems to compound the other losses experienced by myself and my family over the past two and a half years. I especially feel it in the early evening when she’d always call me like clockwork. […]
Re-post (Again)
Last year around this same time I first reprinted the post below (with commentary). It seemed the right time and I can assure you that it was heartfelt. Not much has changed. Lola and I are back on the road this week. The one thing I would add is that this year marks Lee’s milestone […]
Green Lights Ahead
This weekend some widowed individuals will be attending Camp Widow in Tampa, Florida. I wish the organizers and all the attendees an inspiring and comforting event. The last official weekend-long Camp Widow will take place in San Diego, CA in July. My experience there last year as a first-time camper and presenter was definitely a […]
Florida Days
On Wednesday, I will be leaving for Camp Widow Tampa, and Im really excited. It’s also really emotional for so many reasons. First off, I will be the KeyNote Address Speaker at Camp Widow this year. I still remember watching Michele Neff Hernandez up there on that stage, speaking to all of us broken and […]
How Could I be Forgetting?
Last Saturday, March 2nd, marked the sixth year of the passing of my sister, Manette. But for some reason I’d “forgotten” her angelversary and that intended post in her memory did not get written. The anniversary of her service was March 6th so I’ve thought a lot about her this past week. Then just two […]
The Music Never Stops
My friends Bob and Linda visited Tucson this past week. Along with a couple of other friends, who are now more or less permanent Tucson residents, and several of their friends, the action was nonstop. Truthfully, I’m exhausted! I won’t recap the full calendar of events and activities. However, as always, much of it revolved […]
Kindness is a Boomerang
This morning, a friend of mine posted a meme on social media that said: “Some stranger somewhere still remembers you because you were kind to them when noone else was.” The truth and simplicity in this statement struck me – about how absolutely powerful and meaningful it can be to have someone show you kindness, […]
“Marching” Forth and Random Thoughts on a Good Week
I returned home from New York State last Saturday evening weary from spending time processing the loss of my mother with family members. The cold temps and emotional exhaustion caught up with me and by Monday I was not feeling well and rested up for the tasks that rise up before me now. When I […]