Advocacy, bereavement, Family, flowers, Grief, Holiday, inspiration, kindness, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

Fill Up the Empty Chair for Thanksgiving

Some say empty chairs remain empty all around tables in remodeled kitchens with the island where someone's son ate breakfast. A bar stool sits empty. I arranged flowers this morning for Corrie's room, her spot at the table, and a centerpiece. "Remember me" is a common thought of some who read Bibles and then wonder… Continue reading Fill Up the Empty Chair for Thanksgiving

Advocacy, children, Family, Grief, inspiration, kindness, Life, Loss, parenthood, Photography, Photos

Stepping on the Jelly Fish

In the book, Healing A Parent's Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas by Alan Wolfelt wrote: "In the United States alone, more than 100,000 children die each year."

Advocacy, children, Family, inspiration, kindness, parenthood, Photography, Photos, Writing

Infant Girl Houser’s Grave is Important, too

Her grave is important, too.

Advocacy, autism, children, Family, Joy, Life, parenthood, parenting, Photography

The Greatest Gift Given

We all have something we want.

Advocacy, Education, Family, Life, Photos, Writing

So, You want Life to be Normal Again

While my daughter lay dying with what I thought was a stomach bug just before her doctor's appointment, I gave feedback on five students' work when I wasn't going to work at all that day due to my daughter's illness.

Advocacy, children, Family, inspiration, kindness, Life, parenthood, Photos, Writing

The Importance of the Memorial Kinder Walk

I absolutely believe Corrie's time on this Earth mattered, and she has a mom who will write about her until I can join her again.

Advocacy, Life, Mental Health, PTSD, Writing

The Call to Write about Trauma

I wrote some meaningful poems during that time. 

I wrote some crappy, thirteen-year-old blow your nose in notebook paper poems.

Advocacy, autism, Life, parenthood, Writing

Busting Up the Brick in the Wall

Because as exhausting as my list of social cue questions is for me, imagine how many people there are who feel that way.

Advocacy, Art, autism, Blogging, Communication, Poetry, Writing

The Evolution of a Writer

I'm fine with writing though because it doesn't lie to your face or just disappear.

Advocacy, autism, Blogging, Family, Life, Photos, Writing

Expand Your Writing Platform

I was never comfortable saying, "Hey, check out this latest collection my work was published in." Especially to my family. I'm of the opinion any writing I did would not impress the whole of my family or even friends from the past. Like many people, I compartmentalize aspects of my life. Career, raising children, daily… Continue reading Expand Your Writing Platform