Loving and Letting Go: A Journey With Grief

At 16, I stuffed the shock of giving CPR to my dying mom deep inside. I’d talk about it matter-of-factly, like a judge handing down a life sentence—utterly void of emotion. No one taught me how to grieve, so along with burying her six feet under, I buried my feelings too. I said I wasContinue reading “Loving and Letting Go: A Journey With Grief”

Under the Surface (Book Part 11)

Previous I walk up the sidewalk, the same one I’d mindlessly been up thousands of times. Like a dream, the familiarity and comfort splinters; I’m Alice inside the looking glass. Up is down, but with a directive: Say goodbye. Through the ajar front door, I walk. Down the eight-foot brick entry. Into a much too-litContinue reading “Under the Surface (Book Part 11)”

In the Corner of my Mind

I’m called in for one last bedtime request. Evelyn needs her llama-patterned blanket pulled up higher and asks, “Remember when you told me a lady sewed this for me?” “Yes, it was Judy, and she used to call you ‘my lil peanut,’” I reply.“My lil’ Peanut! I want to meet her again.”“Me too,” I say,Continue reading “In the Corner of my Mind”

Living After Loss

Death is an interesting animal. Unexpected is the relief and hopefulness that arrives sometime after, like a dear old friend knocking at the door. The tendency might be to feel guilty; how is it ok to feel like a kid waiting to get into Disneyland at a time like that? At the time of myContinue reading “Living After Loss”