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Reading Prep: 21 Years Later
There’s something about August and early September that always screams back-to-school season. With that, I love reading books like Gossip Girl or The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand, which brings me to Prep. It was the perfect back-to-school-season pickup this year, although I technically finished it in late July while on vacation in Florida. It still…
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Aging Is Not For Sissies
They say that growing old is not for sissies. Here’s another saying. It’s from a woman in my book group: “Aging is a bitch!” And I saw this next one on a mug in a gift shop: “Life’s a bitch, and then you die.” Aging, however we view it, is inevitable, but if we accept…
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Home
As he picked the cucumber from the salad we ordered and placed it on my plate, I knew he was my home. He always noticed the little things I did, the things I liked, the things I didn’t. And somehow, without me asking, he was always finding ways to make my life a little easier.…
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My Favorite Part Of September
September has always meant a change of season, cooler nights, softer skies, and the feeling that something new is beginning. But now, September means something more to me, because it gave this world you, Joseph. You came into my life and somehow made ordinary days feel different. Your smile became one of my favorite sights,…
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The Bread Man
After the fifth tap of her snooze button, Sophia finally rolled out of bed. Since she lived above her shop, it took her no time to get downstairs. Sophia bought the small building 4 years ago from her Uncle Stuart for a steal. He helped turn his law office into the Sweet Whisk Bakery. They…
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On Love
The mare in the stable kept licking away at the blood-slick head of her newborn foal till he was left spotless, his needle-like brown legs shaking sporadically underneath the sheets of hay. Her own tongue came back red but she didn’t seem to mind. I wondered if love was licking away someone’s blood until they…
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Until I Walk In Your Shoes, Or Be Careful What You Wish For
Monica was a member of my writers’ group in Dublin—a woman in her forties, robust yet graceful, with auburn hair, a ready smile, and quick wit. Married to George, she was a stay-at-home mom to three teenagers. We bonded over our shared interests: poetry, crafts, and dogs. Every Saturday, right after the writers’ group meeting,…
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Two Grumpy Old Men
Derek had gone to the pub for a pint; he could see his old friend Archie sitting at one of the tables. Archie had been on his own since his wife Millie died a few years before. They had their Sunday lunch at the pub together every week, and since Millie had died, Archie continued…
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Take Yourself Off Clearance
You are too beautiful To accept half love You are too wonderful To get less than you deserve You are too bright To accept anything less than greatness You are too wonderful To have terrible people in your life You should be worshipped Like the Goddess you are Loved like you are the only person…
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You’re Worth It. Dream Big.
There is something incredibly vulnerable about wanting something badly. Not just casually wanting it. Not thinking, “That would be nice someday.” I mean wanting something so deeply that the dream has lived inside you for years, maybe even since childhood. Because the moment you say your dream out loud, it becomes real. And once it…
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The Phantom I Keep
From my favorite song You came forth, My dreams turned dark All I thought was true You made them seem false. I bear no hatred against you My heart bleeds out, My soul wants freedom But I’m too entangled to you All I see now is a mirage. Once I called you my oasis Now…
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The Undoing
Of everything she ever was In one moment It all made sense All the grief The chaos Wasn’t for nothing To become her true self Patterns were revealed To be changed, now past tense The carriage of misjustice Poor treatment Stifled her from thriving All the bad choices weren’t hers A mixture of bad guidance…
