Tanya It's what I've come to learn about grief—that it carries a swirling unknown that feels deeply confusing, overwhelming, and disorienting. I can't talk about grief without also talking about love. They are inextricable from one another. I'm coming to know grief as an unfamiliar love, love that no longer exists on the same path it used to.
Becoming a mom for the first time is a moment that changes you forever. For me, that moment came eighteen years ago when my daughter Ava arrived in this world. Today, as she stands on the cusp of adulthood, I find myself reflecting on the journey we've shared and the lessons she has taught me along the way. I want to share this love letter to Ava with you. Not only in celebration of her...
Do you ever come back from a vacation or weekend away and feel like you need another one? Or maybe you look through old photos and think, "Wow, that was such a great time! If I could do it all over again, I'd savor and appreciate it even more." Me too. New places and new experiences can be overwhelming, requiring a different level of attention and energy compared to a...
A big mistake I made was believing that I could somehow “fix” the struggle my daughter was having with her mental health. That I could study and read and think our way out of the terrifying reality of the uncertain time we were in. I spent hours privately consuming ideas, tools, podcasts, books, videos, suggestions and stories from other parents who had already been where we were....
Hello, April. Your colors, sounds, and smells feel like Spring (sans the snow) and I’m ready for it! In March, I celebrated 46 trips around the sun. On my birthday each year, I spend some time reflecting on where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and what I look forward to in the upcoming year. This week, I’m sharing some reflections from life over...
Hello and welcome back. It's a quiet Sunday morning, I am sitting in my favorite writing chair with my favorite coffee mug, in my home. I’m feeling deeply grateful. Ava and I have transitioned back home after living in Portland for a few months. No more Sunday scaries in anticipation of leaving again, no more suitcases, no more long drives and...