When I was in NOLA, right after the loss of my daughter, I found myself wandering around the co-op art gallery. I couldn't stand most of the tourist stuff, the hurricanes, the beads, or the general happiness of tourists in town. I ducked into the gallery that was owned by multiple artists. For whatever reason, … Continue reading Hidden Angels
I have found myself over and over again contemplating grief. There isn't even a medical condition for it. There is no physician coding, there isn't a medication you can take to cure it or its symptoms. The most hilarious encounter I have had throughout this process was applying for intermittent leave, while I was explaining … Continue reading The Wordless Color
Motherhood starts, to most of us, with tears of joy and physical pain. It's a moment of self sacrifice for the life of something you now cherish more than yourself. The badge of motherhood is not a easy badge to earn, right from the start. Today of all days, is a cherished day for mothers. … Continue reading A Badge of Sacrifice
I was asked last night, as I showed my tattoo, what it represented. At first I thought, well isn't it obvious? Then I realized it might not be entirely clear to some. Why the Raven? It is because I finally truly believe that God is the great comforter. Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the … Continue reading Reasons for Ravens
I thought I was doing well, navigating this field of landmines without a map. Always priding myself on being the prepared GirlScout, I knew I had the obvious areas I needed to help my family through right away. There's all the major holidays, the birthdays, and other family traditions, some that came up right away. … Continue reading The Firsts, the Lasts and the Nevers….
Coming back from New Orleans after my nursing conference I found myself on a five-hour flight, ready to kick back with my ear phones on, and enjoy the two documentaries I hastily downloaded at 3am. visiting New Orleans just two months after the loss of my daughter wasn't something I really wanted to do, but … Continue reading Grace at 30K feet
Sometimes a visual picture explains more the way you feel or understand something in a way only a picture can. I have been walking past a site of destruction almost daily. It isn't just a demolition site, it's an iconic building that represents part of the hospital and community. The rubble sits angrily contrasted against … Continue reading Destruction and the use of Broken things
I've known these women of true beauty for many years. I never thought to put them in a category together. They come from different backgrounds, different political camps, possibly different religions. They are different ages and have all experienced different kinds of loss. At first when I was making this revelation, I thought it was … Continue reading Beauty Blooms in Unordinary Places
The morning of the day My daughter passed away, I was in Peru and saw the largest Black bird I had ever seen before and stopped to take a picture of it. I have no idea why it was there or if that almost two foot tall bird normally lives happily by the park near … Continue reading Reasons for Raven and Roses, signs of hope
An object in motion stays in motion, remember that from science class? An object in motion headed in one direction stays headed in that direction, until sideswiped by a bulldozer. I have read that trauma can cause developmental stages to stop when trauma happens in life. It can cause someone to feel stuck. Unfortunately, most of … Continue reading Knocked around like a Pool Ball
Raven and Roses 