I woke at sunrise, my internal clock overriding the realization that today was a day off from work. I walked quietly down the wooden planks of my hallway, nearly tip-toeing past the bedrooms of my my three children sleeping soundly in their beds. My three children. Three. My daughter arrived home from college last Friday… Continue reading Are You OK?
Category: grief
Life Interrupted
It's been three full weeks since my life was interrupted by COVID-19. March 13 is marked on my calendar with black permanent marker: "Last Day Teaching At School." Each week since has carried the weight of a sucker-punch to the gut, from the news that schools would be closed the remainder of the year to… Continue reading Life Interrupted
Signs of Love
Saturday was my mom's birthday. She would have been 66 years old. When I woke that morning, I wondered if I would feel her presence on her special day. After all, this is the third birthday since she's been gone. The grief has slowly abated from the constant turbulence of crashing waves where I could… Continue reading Signs of Love
Imminent Change
For the past thirteen years, I have lived in a home nestled by the shelter and shade of decade old trees reaching their limbs high towards heaven with branches draping sculpted leaves along the side of our yard. In winter, when those leaves fall to the ground, we are rewarded with shimmering silhouettes at sunset.… Continue reading Imminent Change
Hearts of Hope
Friends, it's been a really tough week. Last Saturday, as I was putting the finishing touches on my Braille kindness rocks, I received the phone call no one ever wants to receive. It was my friend, Amy, who teaches students with special needs at our local middle school. She's also the teacher of my sweet… Continue reading Hearts of Hope
On That Day
On that day, I opened the door to my third grade classroom having no idea that our country would be under attack within the hour. On that day, I marked attendance, taking for granted that every child would be present that day and the next. On that day, I watched as students unpacked their… Continue reading On That Day
On The Day My Mother Died
Today is the day my mother died. The date has loomed on the calendar like the storm clouds of an impending storm, much like they did last year. The only difference between this year and last is knowing when the rain would fall and hearts would be shattered. Several times in this year of mourning,… Continue reading On The Day My Mother Died
11 Months
Today marks 11 months since I sat on my mom's bedside, held her hand, and watched helplessly as she took her last breath. 11 months since eyes that sparkle, 11 months since squeals of delight; 11 months of silent stillness, 11 months to write. This time last year was the beginning of the end.… Continue reading 11 Months
Kindness Rocks for Parkland
There are times in life where we can't begin to imagine the global impact of our actions. We are focused on our one moment in time, doing what we do, thinking, "That's it! Mission accomplished. On to the next thing." We have no idea how far our seeds can scatter.Two weeks ago we celebrated… Continue reading Kindness Rocks for Parkland
I Can
Today was a difficult day. I arrived at school, the hearts of gratitude created by our students still sparkling on my table, their endearing messages and sweet sentiments reminding me of our kindness lesson the day before. Before. Students entered the building and several peeked in the Innovation Lab, seeking me out, smiles and… Continue reading I Can
