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Dear Mother: A Letter
There are certain days and times that are virtually guaranteed to bring about complicated, confusing, and contradictory emotions for many. Without fail, Mother’s Day is one of them. A day that was created to honor the unsung heroism of everyday mothering has deeper implications for those with difficult mother-child relationships. Parents who are unable…
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Finding Connection
Public service announcement: It is normal to long for connection. Take another look at that last sentence: It is normal to long for connection. Healthy, even. Foundational to what it means to be human. And also, a profoundly painful longing when it goes unfulfilled. I am often inspired to write about themes…
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Show Yourself: A Journey to Self-Love
Last week, I told you about my big adventure of 2019: writing a book. Completing The Gaslighting Recovery Workbook has been an amazing, intense, and sometimes overwhelming process. A few days ago, I went on an adventure of another sort: taking two 4-year-olds to see Frozen 2. (If you don’t think that was an adventure,…
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Father’s Day Wishes
A father’s new place To the new dad, wondering what his place is in the family as he gazes down at the brand-new little life in his hands: May you be loved and supported as you enter this new chapter. May you embrace your new role as you are asked to do and be…
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Mother’s Day Wishes
A mother’s new world To the new mom, staring at the tiny, squish-faced baby that sleeps, cries, and poops: May you be surrounded by loving support as you navigate this strange, sleepless new world of motherhood. May your voice be heard and respected, and may your partner be pooped on just as often as…
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Written in Love
Do you ever look back at your past and think, “There are many pieces of my earlier years that I would erase if I could – but this? This I would keep.” What are your keepers? What makes them special? One of my “keepers” from my earlier life is a favorite old…
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Love Languages, Part 2: You loving you
And we’re back for part two of the Love Languages miniseries! Last time, we looked at each of the five love languages and how they might be expressed in a relationship. Hopefully more of your relationships look like the healthy version of expressing these languages than the toxic versions. If that is not the case,…
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Love Languages Part 1: You in Relationships
How was your Valentine’s Day? Full of affection, hearts, and chocolate? Wine, cheese, and chick flicks (or sci-fantasy, whatever floats your boat!)? Whether you look forward to the holiday or view it as just another money-maker for greeting card companies, I hope it was a happy day for you. Although the holiday has passed…
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Giving Thanks
Between October 31 and November 1, the world changes. For some, November 1 is the official start date of the Christmas and holiday season. They turn on their Christmas music, bring out the decorations, and start perusing sale ads in preparation for holiday gift-giving. Others prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving, and focus on the…
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A Time for You
Tis the season for many things: apple pies, warm sweaters, cinnamon candles, eating too much, and spending time with loved ones. Thanksgiving is one of our most family-centric holidays, kicking off a season of celebrations, parties, and dinners. We travel more around Thanksgiving than any other time of the year and it’s hard to imagine…
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