bereavement, Family, Joy, Life, Photography

The Goodbye Moments

We say goodbye to seasons in life. They make us ugly-cry-laugh. They take us on that emotional rollercoaster. It's not like a newer one. The rollercoaster is more like the old wooden one my son went on last summer for his birthday.

Art, Cook, Cooking, Family, Life, parenthood, parenting, Photography, Photos

You Will Have to Make Omelets Again

Corrie had a way of bringing out the artist in me. She had a way of opening me up when I had closed myself away from so many due to trust issues I’d developed through the years. In fact, if people wanted to see my real personality, I encouraged them to come to my classroom.… Continue reading You Will Have to Make Omelets Again

Family, Grief, Life, Loss, parenthood, parenting, Poetry, Writing

A Poem for Corrie

Writing should always have a purpose. When we're thirteen, it may only be to get those feelings out on paper with our limited knowledge of the world. Then, in some cases, thirteen-year-olds know more than my preteen self. I am so thankful to those who've reached out in person, on Facebook, and from the Twitter… Continue reading A Poem for Corrie

Death, Family, Grief, Life, Loss, parenthood, parenting, Photography, Photos

Mommy, I Need to Water the Flowers

The work ahead of my family seems heavier than a load anyone wants to lift.It's a load my students this year would say, "This is too much work." It's the type of work previous students would say, "You doin' too much." Sometimes I think my past traumatic experiences are taken lightly. But, those ordeals made it… Continue reading Mommy, I Need to Water the Flowers

Death, Family, Grief, parenthood, parenting, Writing

Life after Her Death

There is a sense you have nothing to lose after a major life catastrophe. I have previously written about having a purpose to write.  Life experience has offered some funny situations  about which I’ve written and more serious events.  I thought there would be just a period of relief after last school year and a… Continue reading Life after Her Death