Family, Life, marriage, Mental Health, Writing

Built John Tough (with Poetry Excerpt from “The Sea Cow and the Manatee”)

When people take vows for marriage, we nailed the "in sickness," we earned the badge with "or poorer," and death--while the vow is meant for the couple--will not divide us now.

children, Life, Loss, parenting, reality, Writing

How we Respond when Consistency Goes

Consistency. Something many of us want as much as currency or a walk in the park when some of us have been constrained in close quarters. Consistency is a stranger to me. It is uncommon to many right now. There are those without jobs because of COVID-19. There are those who, like me from March… Continue reading How we Respond when Consistency Goes

children, inspiration, Joy, kindness, Life, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

The Bister Color (a Corrie poem)

With your three year old words, you painted scenes of trees with every shade of green ...

children, inspiration, kindness, Life, Photography, Photos, Writing

When our Great Moments Meet our Dreams

In times like these it is easy to lose ourselves in dreams rather than deal with the reality. My generation has been here before, but in a different way. Corrie had just turned five near Christmas 2019, but she'd dealt with realities as she felt and saw them. Our 9/11 Moment On September 11, 2001,… Continue reading When our Great Moments Meet our Dreams

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.

kindness, Life, parenting, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

When I Walk through the Nightmare

My Memorial Kinder Walk is the one way in which I can physically show my love and honor the memory of my daughter, Corrie.

bereavement, children, Family, inspiration, Life, Writing

When I Flip the Grief

The birds chirp outside. The underside of green leaves provides shade to those in the sun. This is the time of year that usually provides some of us with our best memories. The sound of children echo as they play in the pool in fewer amounts due to COVID-19. When you hear your child or… Continue reading When I Flip the Grief

children, Life, parenting, Photography, Photos, Writing

When I See Corrie on Vacation (with short poetry excerpt and photos)

poetry excerpt One of the toughest things to do for any person who has ever lost someone they love is to go somewhere and take a picture. Our loved one is not in the picture. How will the world continue to know about this wonderful person? The world keeps going, and we’re so small. Yet,… Continue reading When I See Corrie on Vacation (with short poetry excerpt and photos)

children, Family, Joy, Life, parenting, Poetry, Writing

Filled with Joy (Poetry Excerpt)

To understand Corrie brings a desire to dance.