That unplanned request helps me deal with his passing every single day. — I first saw the delicate, hand-carved hummingbird tied to the bottom of a birdhouse, hanging in the sunroom. Handcrafted of tightly twisted twigs, the birdhouse was the perfect haven for mom’s collectibles. …

The challenge of loving someone who got sober but never went through recovery — It happened again. Like it always does. With words. Cold, defensive, attacking. Once again it’s not about anything big or important. It never is. Simple conversations turn into explosive arguments that activate the painful pit in my stomach. The most infuriating part? He never understands what the fight is really…

At 56 years old, I decided to leave my hometown, and all of my family and friends, to relocate across the country. This is what it felt like driving away from my old life, to begin my new one. As I drive away from Wintercreek Place — my home for…

I was challenged to write a 200-word portrait, painting a picture of someone important in my life. I chose dad. The chair sits empty now, as does the house. The blue recliner positioned just in front of the television. But watching TV wasn’t its primary purpose. It was for reading…

As I excavate my life looking for memories to write about in my memoir, I’m discovering I don’t remember much. Here’s how I’m handling it. Now that dad’s gone and mom is 84 years old and slowly losing her memory, I find myself trying to put together the puzzle pieces…

Much to my surprise, after dad died I was inspired to begin visiting Hospice patients with my certified therapy dogs. The rewards have been many. She bounded in the front door with the exuberance of an excited toddler. It’s this particular trait that always gives me pause when deciding which…

On a recent trip back home I discovered a letter I wrote to mom 25 years ago and it changed my how I view her today. I often describe my relationship with mom as complicated. The funny thing is, I’m not sure when, or why, it became complicated. What I…

We often encounter deer on our morning walks and today was no different. What was different was their response. She stomped her foot as she stared at me from the hill above the road. Her eyes met mine and never waivered. I noticed a flicker of white out of the…