Month: April 2021

April 2021

Last Days

April 23, 2021 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

“You’ll be a shining star!” “Be sure to join a study group.” “Whatever you do, don’t fall behind on your reading.” She held her breath, smiled from ear to ear, and declared she wasn’t going to cry as the well wishes and wisdom tumbled down the chat in her final all team Zoom. Lindsay V. is heading to law school. We are losing our legal assistant to her next chapter. She was just 12 years old when the fire to be a justice seeker was lit in her. Those with fear-filled hate sought to pass a local ordinance barring immigrant

Laughed Until I Cried

April 16, 2021 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

Janie (that’s what I’ll call her) has a wholehearted laugh that fills her entire being. With a round face and ever-present smile, Janie sees humor in any situation. And with years of being a therapist and an elementary school counselor, she’s seen some situations. Janie’s effervescence is so bright that the first time her schoolteacher spouse saw her in the building he declared, “I’m going to marry that one.” Every summer while my children were growing up, we’d spend the 4th of July week in a lake cabin next door to Janie’s family. By vacation’s end, I’d be refreshed and uplifted. Hours of laughing at Janie’s stories of assorted shenanigans were every bit as restorative as the sun, the water, and the rest. When Janie retired, she and her husband divided their time between an

Dear Dave

April 15, 2021 / Doing Divorce

I have been thinking about you a lot since April 5, 2021 – the day you left this world and took your talent with you. My heart has been sore and heavy since. I know you read some of my blogs – you told me. You told me it was a gift to share my vulnerability. I use this space often to reflect on how I respond and heal from heartbreaks – of which I have had a varied sort. You – being my most recent. You and I met in the awkward awakenings of 13-year-olds in junior high school.

Another 10-Year Anniversary

April 2, 2021 / Uncategorized

There I am – perched and posing playfully for my dad. Looking back at this photo from March 2011, I speculate whether I was aware of the symbolism created in this snapshot. At the time I was precariously attempting to balance my marriage, my life, my heart. I was teetering on the brink of simultaneously losing and finding myself. Today is April 1, 2021. For many today is merely April Fool’s Day. For me, today marks the 10-year anniversary of my filing for divorce. Unfortunately, April 1, 2011 wasn’t a joke for me. Looking at it now, it seems so