Musings

Ever since Brad died, I have noticed subtle signs in my environment that remind me of him and that simultaneously feel like communication. After his sudden passing, the sound of airplanes overhead and flickering lights above our kitchen island seemed to represent messages to me and our daughters. These occurrences felt so real that I would often find myself talking to the inanimate objects as though he and I were still conversing. Other less obvious proxies for him arose in t

Though tools and businesses enabling AI (Artificial Intelligence) have fueled remarkable growth in the stock market and offered a tech revolution, these same entities have also wreaked havoc on our collective psyche. Not only has AI shifted the outlook for the workforce, it has added uncertainty for new college graduates, struck fear in the hearts of our citizenry, and caused many to question whether anything found online is “real”. Even for AI proponents who see it as a rev

This month, our country celebrates its semiquincentennial, marking the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While this milestone honors our country, there are many sober parts of United States history and present day life which belie the celebratory atmosphere. America deserves great credit for many things, especially for establishing a democratic republic with ideals of justice, liberty, and equality for all. Still, whether we are acknowledgin

My late husband Brad would have turned 55 this month. Though it has been five years since he died, part of me still wants to push away the thought that he is gone. When I allow myself to fully comprehend his absence, I am flooded with a depth of sadness that is hard to put into words. At these times, I realize how much he has missed since his untimely death and my heart aches. I am grateful not to live in a constant state of pain and know that my self-protective instincts sto

In late March, as Winter tentatively tip-toed into Spring, I found my own new beginning. Before graduating from my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, I held my practicum. Though it seems obvious now, for some reason I did not immediately recognize the circularity of the circumstance. Still, about 48 hours before my teach-out, I had an epiphany. Though I had been attending classes at my yoga studio's current location for quite some time, it suddenly dawned on me that the place wh

As I sit inside watching raindrops steadily fall on my deck, the adage “April showers bring May flowers” crosses my mind on repeat. Though spring rains may feel like a soggy inconvenience, this saying helps us tolerate dreary days while waiting for the reward of beautiful blooms. It also occurs to me that this idea is a good metaphor for coping with grief. We know that water is a source of growth, providing conditions where flowers can bloom. In the same vein, the symbolism a