Chicago Winter Blues

Propped up by pillows on my bed, I stare out our attic window and into the brown and gray abyss of a Chicago winter. The branches are stiff and lifeless. Once in a while an icy wind blows through and they bow in respect. I can only imagine they want curl back and snake those […]

2018 in Miles

Late November I realized how close I was going to be. I had less than two hundred miles left to run in order to reach the 2,000 mile mark for this year. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it. I wanted that 2,000, plus 18 more. (Because, why not? Runners […]

The Kids Are Awake

The evening news announces this idea of arming teachers. My children who were lounging on the couch and lazily spooning junk food into their mouths sit up a bit straighter. Our teachers with guns? I spout off my irritation with the idea and push it all away with the swipe of my hand. “Teachers shouldn’t […]

Everyone Has it Together But Me

Walking out of the high school this morning I notice the groups of kids hanging out at the main entrance. They joke around, laugh, tease each other, and all seem to be enjoying the company. All the girls are tall, thin and have long hair pulled back in pony tales. All the guys wear their […]

Facing the Black Clouds

I’ve told our story so many times now. It’s easy to punch it out without feeling everything too deeply. The phone call, running towards the flashing lights, drama in the trauma room, waiting during surgery… All of it, we can share with a certain ease. The kind of ease that comes along with so […]

It Takes a Village

When we decided to stop going to church, I wasn’t worried about those things that used to keep me awake at night. I wasn’t concerned about the state of my soul. I wasn’t worried if God could love a sinner like me. I no longer felt like I was living a life simply in the […]

My Note To You All on Mother’s Day Weekend

I’m sitting on a bed covered in laundry. Dinner has been served but the dishes haven’t been cleared or cleaned. The door to my bedroom is shut and you could say I’m hiding for a while. Because, I am. I don’t know how many more emotions I can ride today. There’s been so many over […]

Listen to the Children

The lamp on the small table next to my side of the bed was the only light in the room. A warm yellow glow. I was reading as I settled in for the night and Drew was already half asleep next to me. Abbey stopped in to say goodnight and to drop off her phone […]

My Eagles Fans

I’ll be rooting for the Eagles on Super Bowl Sunday. Living near Philly for 17 years and being married to and the mother of some big time Eagles fans leaves me no other choice. They’re happy, I’m happy. I also love all my friends who are die-hard Eagles fans, some fine, fine people. And just […]

Single Digits

It’s 6am Saturday morning and Drew is next to me hiding his phone under the covers as he catches up on the latest headlines. While he’s trying block the blue light from my face, his special alarm clock has gone off that lights up the room with some natural “sun is gently coming” up glow. […]

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