children, inspiration, Life, Poetry, Writing

A Short Corrie Poem, Gravel Drive

Birds chirp like Broadway singers singing different words at one time.

bereavement, Life, Literature, Loss, Poetry

The G-Word

This is the fourth post in my goodbye series. Dedicated to those who have ever had to say goodbye too soon. July is is Bereaved Parents' Month. Don't say the g-word. I don't want to hear it. "God?" you ask. I roll my eyes like my daughter, Corrie, did when I asked her a question… Continue reading The G-Word

Communication, Life, parenthood, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

Remember Me, Mommy (a Corrie Poem)

“Remember me, Mommy,” I hear her say.  “I know who you are, and who took me to all the places. Don’t let your brain go  to places or people who were never with me.”   To the field or in my dreams, I reply to her,  “It just made me mad what she did to… Continue reading Remember Me, Mommy (a Corrie Poem)

Family, Grief, parenthood, parenting, Poetry, Writing

If Corrie was There (a Poem)

If Corrie was there, she'd run ahead of Hayes and me in a skirt with sparkles flopping up and down. Sparkles on her skirt were okay, but they could never be on the leggings or shorts that touched her skin. She'd rush ahead to inspect the tables set up by the church for her brother's… Continue reading If Corrie was There (a Poem)

Family, Life, parenthood, Poetry, Writing

Excerpt from “Be Kind, Rewind,” A Corrie Poem

At any one time, I work on three to four poems about Corrie. I have a memoir essay called "Lessons Home Economics Forgot to Teach" about Corrie. Then there is the memoir, Corrie's Season. How could I have so much to write about with one child and five and a half years? Corrie was a… Continue reading Excerpt from “Be Kind, Rewind,” A Corrie Poem

Family, Life, Loss, Photos, Poetry, Writing

The Corrie Poem So I Write

I was blessed with a daughter on a day in December when it looked gray and had rained. The nurse wanted to take my baby from my arms and put her in a crib. I cried waking my husband on the couch as I said how "I want to go home." He said we would… Continue reading The Corrie Poem So I Write

Family, parenting, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

What is Our Treasure’s Chest? Excerpt from a Corrie Poem

In life, it's easy for us to think we have more time. Think about being sixteen, seventeen or eighteen, and you think: "That can't happen to me." It doesn't matter what that is. I close the door to Corrie's room every night because we used to keep it open, but I open it during the… Continue reading What is Our Treasure’s Chest? Excerpt from a Corrie Poem

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

Cook, Cooking, Food, parenthood, Poetry, Writing

Pimping Out My Mac and Cheese

My daughter wants to pimp out my Mac and cheese. It’s creamy with the heavy cream and it’s three cheese. She says I can visit my students house to house, and give out my Mac and cheese. I’m a louse for not going house to house like the teachers you see on TV. I don’t… Continue reading Pimping Out My Mac and Cheese

Art, Education, Literature, Poetry, Publishing, Writing

Make Your Poetry Ugly Beautiful

Do what? Poetry. Who needs it? It does not sale in the market if you're looking to make money. For people who read, poetry seems to cause emotions almost as extreme as politics. They either like or they don't. My husband has hated poetry most of his life, but claims I am bringing him around… Continue reading Make Your Poetry Ugly Beautiful