A Mother’s Day reflection about love, expectations, distance, regret, and the painful realization that motherhood changes as children grow older and build lives of their own. Mother’s Day always makes me reflective. This morning I woke up thinking about my mother and the complicated relationship we had. I never doubted that she loved me, but…
Tipping makes more sense when you’ve lived it. This is about what that work is really like, what we expect today, and what might change next. I’ve always thought there are a few jobs everyone should have to do at least once, and waiting tables is at the top of that list. I started my…
A simple, honest reminder that the way we used to live still matters. This piece looks back at a time when people showed up for each other without hesitation and challenges us to bring that spirit back. It’s about connection, compassion, and choosing to lift people up instead of tearing them down because life moves…
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…
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…
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,…
Looking back, there’s a lot I wish I could go back and tell my younger self — like maybe stop worrying about perfect makeup and start worrying about what actually matters. Life doesn’t come with a manual, but it sure teaches you lessons if you stick around long enough. There’s a reason every older…
I spent my youth promising I’d never be like her. And then, somewhere between raising boys and spoiling grandkids, her voice came out of my mouth. Except now? I’ve doubled down and taken it to a whole new level. I can still see myself in the kitchen of our house in Orfordville in 1969 —…
My dad always said, “I don’t do business with family,” and life has shown me why. If you ever do, there’s one thing you must have: a clear, written agreement. Here’s the hard-earned lesson about expectations, money, and protecting the relationships that matter most. Growing up, I lost count of how many times I heard…
Living with chronic illness isn’t easy, but it’s not the end of the story either. In this heartfelt post, I share my personal journey through decades of health battles, the lessons I’ve learned about gratitude and resilience, and why I refuse to let my medical struggles define me. Life is too precious to waste on…
In this personal reflection, I share how life has taught me that balance isn’t a perfect equation—it’s a rhythm. From relationships to time, energy, and self-worth, this post explores what balance really means and why it matters so deeply to living a meaningful life. I used to think balance was a goal—a destination you finally…
People might think I talk too much, move too fast, or care too deeply—but there’s a reason behind all of it. I’ve lived through loss, pain, and hard lessons, and I’m still here, still learning, still trying. This is me—uncensored, a little impulsive, and always full of heart. I’m going to be real with you—because…
