Category Archives: Uncategorized

This seems like a good place to share this life update. We are moving to Costa Rica! I got a teaching job at a very cool K-12 bilingual school in the Monteverde region. The kids will attend the same school and Symeon will work remotely. It is a big change for our little family butContinue reading “¡Pura Vida!”

St. Patrick’s Day was a big deal growing up. This was a day to celebrate our Irish heritage and spread cheer by dressing up, toasting to our blessings, and being with family. My mom loved all holidays and found creative ways to celebrate everything (see previous posts about Halloween, Super Bowl Sunday) but this oneContinue reading “St. Patrick’s Day Reflections”

One year ago your body left us. It seemed like the whole world fell apart in grief with us. So much happened this year and not a day went by that I didn’t want to reach for you. …like when Dad got this book in the mail from the Anatomical Education Program at IU’s SchoolContinue reading “Dear Mom,”

For many people who lose a family member, the holidays become harder. They mourn family traditions and nothing feels right anymore. For us, this won’t be Thanksgiving or Christmas. We all agree that Halloween and Saint Patrick’s Day will be the toughest without Barb. These were her holidays and she made them ours. I’ve gotContinue reading “Everyday Superheroes”

The past few weeks have been filled with some tough blows. Every time I am down about something it always makes me miss my mom more. Maybe it is the inner child in me who just wants their mommy when they are afraid or sad. Or maybe it is because so much of what isContinue reading “When Great Trees Fall”

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” ~Helen Keller It’s been six months since my mom’s passing. Since then, death stories pour in, the new normal, as the pandemic rips through the world. What we thought would be an additional shitty few months has become anContinue reading “Sunflower”

I grew up around hundreds of books and so did my husband. Both of our mothers were educators and our fathers were readers. The local library knew our mothers by name. My mom acquired her vast collection by always stopping by the quarter book rack at the library but also through her many trips toContinue reading “Be Like Barb & Borrow Our Books”

In 1986 funky hair dye hit the market and we went to LaDonna’s, my mom’s friend and the coolest hairstylist that was always up for adventurous dos. Mom got a bright blue stripe and I hot a hot pink one. I was in the first grade at Queen of Angels Catholic School. I had toContinue reading “Pink Hair for Mother’s Day”

Next Level Art My mom loved Star Wars most for its creativity and imagery. She loved the creatures, the planets, the costumes, the spaceships, and the logos. She loved that there was space in the universe for tiny creatures, huge creatures, hairy creatures and droids. A huge fan of playing dress-up, Star Wars meant youContinue reading “May the 4th Post: Why My Mom Loved Star Wars”

She died 3 months ago today. The whole scene of her last days plays in my head over and over and I feel angry and hurt. Other times I am overwhelmed with happy memories or activities, stuff and remarks that are SO her. Those hurt even more though.  I was doing ok, finding distraction withContinue reading “Earth Day Tribute”