Once you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, the most terrifying thing you can imagine is losing that person. I know this. I remember when I was a newlywed, I had a daily paralysis of fear that would hit me every time I thought of losing my husband in some fatal accident. It's a real fear and a real…
The year of 2014 is drawing to a close and what a crazy year its been. To close it out, I am looking back on some of the milestones and lessons that visited me. January-On our trip to Walt Disney World I remembered the fairy tale birthright that my mother passed along to me. April-I defended my choice to be something more than just a mother.…
When I cry, I remember why forever. When I laugh, I forget about it tomorrow. –Anonymous I’m trying my hand at a few definitions of sad things that we might experience: Tragedy—def: the destruction of human lives or hearts on a massive scale. A loss of profound consequences. Tear-jerker—def: you know after witnessing this kind of movie or…
Anyone who’s ever gotten married and spent a major family holiday with the in-laws knows that it can be awkward at first. No amount of love and welcome can make the different traditions and communication styles feel effortless to the “stranger." And by this, I mean the one who is only included because of their spouse, not because of a lifetime of memories and shared blood.…
If I were to tell you what I’m most afraid of, it’s this: doing something wrong. Perfectionism runs deep inside me, cutting deep canyons, and though I once thought I could call myself a “recovering perfectionist” but the truth is the trait doesn’t ever shake itself off completely. It sickens me to think I might…
We all read out loud. It's part of daily life. But what many of us don't realize is that reading out loud is a skill, and, with a little practice, it can be honed in a way that transforms anything we say. A mediocre story can become something fantastic with one simple tweak—the voice-acting of the narrator who breathes it to life. A well-written piece of…
I'm doing less and less these days. (In quantity, I must add. I dare not say I'm doing less "in quality.") Do it well and keep it simple. It's so much better than reaching too high and failing miserably. I shall elucidate: Picture me with four pots on the stove, veggies in the colander in the sink, meat thawing in the microwave, bread warming in the…
I was hardly prepared for the weekend that just passed. I have a habit of being revved up and excited before a writer’s conference (and grumpy, exhausted, and burned out, after one), but this excited pre-conference state is understandable, right? It’s like being a candy shop of learning that’s jam-packed with people who are just as crazy as I am about how to tell a good…
I grew up in Seattle my entire life. I never moved away for college, but attended the University of Washington, a thirty minute bus ride from my house. I’ve kept many of my relationships and friendships for years and years, which might be why I’m not one to quickly make new friends, and also not one to quickly burn proverbial bridges when the going gets tough.…