Everyday thoughts, observations, and reflections on the ups and downs of daily living.
Getting older is a one-way street. The young think they understand life because they’ve lived a little. The truth is, we’ve lived all of it. Here’s my take on the gap between what we remember and what they can’t yet see. There’s something I’ve noticed more and more the older I get. Young people think…
Seven million Americans marched for democracy, and Trump called himself king. Respect has to be earned, and Donald Trump has never even tried. On October 18, 2025, nearly seven million Americans marched in cities across all fifty states, carrying handmade signs that read “No Kings,” “We the People,” and “You Work for Us.” It was…
https://www.amazon.com/Left-Waiting-Laura-Thompson-Kiefert-ebook/dp/B0FVS5HYLL Left Waiting is the true story of my youngest brother, Dave Thompson, and the devastating tragedy that unfolded while he was on what was supposed to be a simple vacation in Jamaica. When he became seriously ill, our family did everything possible to get him medical help and bring him home, but what we…
The Cowboys–Eagles opener turned into a spit fight before the first snap, but thanks to the NFL’s new sportsmanship rules, it became a surprising story about boundaries, accountability, and why football sometimes teaches life better than life does So, the NFL season opener. Cowboys versus Eagles. Six seconds in—and I mean literally six seconds—and Eagles…
Every time there’s a mass shooting, the media cranks up the outrage machine. Morning shows, experts-for-hire, politicians with crocodile tears — all shouting the same tired mantra: If you see something, say something. Watch for leakage. Intervene before it’s too late. It’s theater. Because when you actually “see something” and try to act, you slam…
Nine years ago, my brother died in Jamaica waiting for a medevac that never came. The man responsible—Duane Boise—lied, stole, and disappeared behind a wall of fake credentials and forged signatures. Today, he’s running a new scam under the name MMJ International Holdings. I won’t stay silent while he keeps preying on families like mine….
I started losing my vision 25 years ago, and life hasn’t looked the same since. But losing sight isn’t just about what you can’t see—it’s about what you still can. Here’s what it’s really like navigating everyday life with blurry eyes, a little sarcasm, and a lot of stubbornness. Tags: vision loss, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma,…
Some of us handle pain by talking through it. Others keep it close, private, protected. I should have known better. And in one careless moment, I crossed a line—and hurt someone I love. Everyone who knows me knows my life is an open book. Maybe even a little too open sometimes. I process everything—grief, joy,…
For decades, I believed Man-O-War Cay was immune to the harshness of the world—a little island of peace and purity surrounded by aqua waters and filled with good people. But after Hurricane Dorian, and now returning to witness the aftermath with my own eyes, I’ve come to understand the heartbreak, the trauma, and the unimaginable…
I don’t usually write fiction—but let’s just say this little tale was inspired by something that happened to me on my first trip to the Bahamas. I was a kid, full of nerves and full of ginger ale, and I may or may not have committed a minor bathroom faux pas that haunted me all…
A return to Man-O-War Cay stirred more than memories—it brought back the voices, the smells, the kindness, and the love that shaped my life. In this deeply personal reflection, I revisit the moments that made this island feel like home, the people who never let me go, and the powerful reminder that what unites us…
After years away, I returned to the island that has always held a sacred place in my heart. What I found was a mix of heartache, healing, and the unshakable spirit of a place that still feels like home. I woke up this morning feeling every bit of the travel from yesterday—tight shoulders, a tender…
My brother died alone in an ambulance in Jamaica after a nine-hour delay. I didn’t know how to help him. Now, I’ll never travel—or let anyone I love travel—without adequate insurance again. There are moments in life that divide everything into before and after. For me, that moment came with a phone call I’ll never…
I’ve spent years carefully avoiding another fall, but today, despite all my caution, I went down—again—right before our long-awaited trip. Same shoulder, same nightmare, different staircase. And all because of what I didn’t see coming. You’d think after everything I’ve been through, I’d have mastered the art of walking down a staircase without incident. And…
My mother swore by the Serenity Prayer, but like most of us, she was better at reciting it than living it. Turns out, learning to let go isn’t about serenity—it’s about surviving life without screaming into a pillow every night. Here’s what I’ve figured out, sarcasm and all. My mother used to throw the Serenity…
Remember when customer service meant something? Me neither. After waiting 40 minutes with an appointment for a COVID shot, I started to wonder if I’d accidentally signed up for a social experiment in human patience. Spoiler: I failed. I’m not sure when it happened—somewhere between the fall of Blockbuster and the rise of self-checkouts—but somewhere…
After a lifetime of seatbelt struggles, salad shaming, and chairs that bite back, I’m finally seeing a glimmer of hope—50 pounds down on Ozempic and counting. I’m still fat, still funny, but now… cautiously optimistic. Come for the laughs, stay for the real talk.
Some friendships don’t just last — they define you. I’m forever grateful for the group of women who have shared my life’s journey from the beginning, weaving memories, love, and laughter through every season of life. There’s something almost magical about finding people who know you at every stage of life — and love you…
Sometimes moving into a new neighborhood brings fresh starts and new friendships. Other times… it brings you neighbors who threaten to hose down your imaginary cat and steal your kids’ soccer balls. In this funny true story, I share how a backyard feud turned into one of my favorite (and pettiest) victories — proving that…
Sometimes the biggest lessons come wrapped in heartbreak. In this story, I share a memory that shaped the way I see love, loyalty, and expectations — and how it continues to touch my life decades later. I still remember the way sunlight streamed through the kitchen window as I sat flipping through that bridal magazine,…
