Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

“She drew the curtains, and she got into bed, without taking off her clothes or her shoes. She felt ashamed and foolish. She felt covered in failure and she felt sure that people could smell and see it on her.” While reading earlier, the author of ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow’ couldn’t help but pushContinue reading “Ode to Heated Springs”

Hearing the news of my old colleague, mentor, and friend’s wife passing away had me reflecting on their situation. Today, I took the initiative to send an email, expressing my condolences and checking in. Surprisingly, within an hour, he responded, sharing the details of his wife, their final months and providing insight into his mindsetContinue reading “Future Islander”

This week, I’ve seen so much growth in people. And growth that I feel confident in the skill sets the people I work south have, that even without counseling, they’d be like little old me at seven when Dad let go of me on that bike with no training wheels. I finally felt the exhilaratingContinue reading “Sudsy Date”

What would you like to write about? I’m beginning my post with that question tonight; the invitation is like a friend tapping their velvety couch cushion, saying, “Here, take a seat.” I’ll be here for the next hour or so, I tell myself, connecting with you on whatever you want to talk about, take yourContinue reading “A Hope for Snow”

Headway, the company handling insurance for my counseling business, recently requested additional information from me. Typically, these requests are routine, involving simple steps like opting in for a provider or verifying my identity. Since I’ve encountered these before and nothing significant ever changes, their prompts don’t usually concern me. However, today was different. A flagContinue reading “Shifting Perspectives”

“Do I really need such an intense reaction?” I ask myself. It’s a non-workday, and apart from a date to browse vinyl records with Dave at a shop downtown Sumner, my schedule for the week is neatly squared away. It should be a relaxed day. I’m experimenting with a mindset shift, like being careful whenContinue reading “Violation of Privacy”

I love unique holiday theatre events, so when the funny image of one man sitting on an extra-large present with a snowy forest backdrop, and another man in a suit draped over the seated man’s shoulders, caught my eye, along with the pun for “tea,” I got curious. Then I read on: “O Christmas Tea,Continue reading “All Sales Final”

“I’m just so thankful it’s so nice,” my stepmom Paula says, cradling her mug of hot buttered rum and gazing out over the light blue skies reflecting on Lake Sawyer. For mid-December in the PNW, the promise of a dry Santa Boat is rare. “That’s him! See the blue lights?” My dad points across theContinue reading “Santa on the Lake”

Luna, the frisbee-obsessed maniac she was, would chase those discs relentlessly across the sandy football-field-sized area of the Kent dog park. My entire body exerted itself in hurling the disc, and I found myself counting in sheer amazement. There were days when I swore I reached 100 throws, yet Luna, my sweet Australian Cattle Dog,Continue reading “It’s a Beaut Clark”

Waking up, my throat felt two sizes bigger, with no air movement in my left nostril and only 20% breathing capacity in my right. The dilemma hovered—should I or shouldn’t I? Eight people depended on me, their needs dominating my thoughts. Like facing 4th down with five seconds left and two yards to go, IContinue reading “A Slice of Life”