Last year, I cried at my mammogram, which is cringeworthy for someone like me who abhors crying in public. Back in 2022, I wrote a post about a very positive experience with my 3rd mammo ever, but 2023 was quite different. The appointment built on several layers of issues, effectively creating a massive sandwich ofContinue reading “Healthcare’s Downfall”
Category Archives: Cancer
4th Cancerversary
I can’t believe it’s been four years since I picked up the phone and heard the words “You have cancer.” I spent those early days in shock and disbelief. I was also terrified. I remember going to our New Year’s Day mass on January 1st, 2020, convinced that I wouldn’t be there with my familyContinue reading “4th Cancerversary”
The Character of a Year
embrace small momentsweave them into memoriesa shawl of comfortbest worn in times of trialthe armor of endurance How do you characterize an entire year? One year holds so many ups and downs, tribulations and triumphs. I think we all did this with 2020, though; nobody says, “Oh, yeah, good ol’ 2020: best year ever!” IContinue reading “The Character of a Year”
Spiral Void
float on,down the river,until its eddiesreel against nature,swirling you intothe spiraling motion,the space devoid of downstream flow,the turbulence out of control,spinning on repeat ‘Tis the season to overextend yourself until you accidentally burn out, to then take a day entirely to yourself, and to finally bounce back feeling rejuvenated but also slightly off-kilter like you’reContinue reading “Spiral Void”
The lens through which we see the world
the camera reflects the lens through which we see life captured light glistens bright and speckles the soul with sunbeams fractured lens the camera pretends tells only half the story squeezes hope bitter note looking for glory heartened now we are learning how to share love camera’s hope the story behind the lens empathy warmContinue reading “The lens through which we see the world”
Journeying
for the love of adventure, I’ll cross these prairie lands of waving grass and sun-speckled hollows, the pastures hidden beyond winding county roads and no-named hillsides, sleeping under yesterday’s roof and weaving tomorrow from scratch Oh my goodness, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve written a poem on WordPress! I’ve missed that. This semesterContinue reading “Journeying”
Distractibility
boldly billowing grim clouds coil and laze around others swirl in dance I’ve written on here before about my difficulty with focus. Toward the end of my chemo infusions and immediately afterward, I couldn’t get my brain to attend to any one idea or situation for more than 5 minutes or so. It would bounceContinue reading “Distractibility”
July Reading List
My July opened with a family camping trip and ended with a countryside trip to celebrate a dear friend’s upcoming wedding. It was a month that included many ups and downs and (unfortunately) not nearly enough writing, but it involved a decent amount of reading. Here’s a look at what I read this month: IContinue reading “July Reading List”
bluebird’s legacy
you rode the waves like a natural, chalking it up to waves of snow: a fellow boarder (though I could never strive to be as cool). now you soar higher than your namesake. we’ll see you in the glisten of sunrise over far-flung beaches, the frozen leaps of friends bound by fate. you live onContinue reading “bluebird’s legacy”
Healing Wounds
sneaker squeaks linoleum floors distant beeps machine hums fear curtailed under bright lights wrapped in curtained walls bandages slowly counting steps counting days nature’s rest scar tissue’s perseverance heaven’s endurance existence fickle yet bolder striding near holding dear what wounds look like as they heal faith, friendship, love, hope This week’s Wea’ve Written Weekly promptContinue reading “Healing Wounds”
Words and Coffee Writing 