casting shadows on pine needles downy paths softer sonder complexity wonder brother on our own still together I had the opportunity to take a local memoir writing workshop recently. Suffice to say, it was awesome. I was unsure about taking the class because it meant leaving the house on Saturday mornings and giving up someContinue reading “Memoir Shadows”
Tag Archives: #cancersurvivor
“Heartbeats of Chemo” Published
My short story “Heartbeats of Chemo” was published in Elephants and Tea this week! You can check it out here. One of the main reasons I enjoy sharing stories about my cancer journey is because I believe they’re relatable in other ways. Yes, this particular story is about an appointment I had in March ofContinue reading ““Heartbeats of Chemo” Published”
Pinkwashed
Breast cancer awareness month is over. Thank God. You might think that breast cancer survivors enjoy or appreciate October. Maybe some do. It’s not that I hate BCAM, but I see many issues with it. For one, we have enough awareness of breast cancer. We see pink ribbons everywhere. The disease has been commodified essentially.Continue reading “Pinkwashed”
Birthday Scanxiety
This weekend was my birthday, and I am fortunate to celebrate 35 trips around the sun. It’s certainly not old age (despite what my kids may say!) but after cancer I can appreciate just how special each year is. Not one year is guaranteed even though nobody sits down in the twenties and thinks, “I’mContinue reading “Birthday Scanxiety”
Untangled
Pulling at my roots, I grapple gracefully at new growth, blessed by bees and nature’s rays and clouds whose smoky visages plump with life. Flailing at the seams, and tucked inside these dreams, I’m not frail, but free. I usually participate in the W3 prompt at the Skeptic’s Kaddish on Wednesdays, but I have decidedContinue reading “Untangled”
Changing Currents
Meander through meadows, patching puzzle pieces together into a mosaic tapestry. Wind– unwind– but don’t unravel; follow the brook’s bedrocks as they hum lazily with current through distant soothing channels toward our hazy destination. This summer, I have taken a giant leap– into a new job! I’ll still be teaching, but at the college levelContinue reading “Changing Currents”
Collecting Mini Milestones
For many of us cancer survivors, the five-year mark is a huge milestone. It’s believed that if you are in remission for five years, with no evidence of disease, that you can be considered “cured”. At least tentatively. Though it does happen, it’s rare for most cancers to return after so long. Many people noContinue reading “Collecting Mini Milestones”
A Peaceful Publishing Process
I’ve written and chatted a bit before about my latest novels in progress and rejection in the querying world. My latest journey into querying has resulted in 12 rejections so far, which I’ve learned with time is just a drop in the bucket. I’ve interacted with people on social media who have faced hundreds ofContinue reading “A Peaceful Publishing Process”
Poem: Perfect Imperfection
seashell solitude tangible imperfections glisten in water This past week, I had an amazing opportunity to attend a retreat of sorts for young adults who are cancer survivors. I spent five days in the Outer Banks of North Carolina surfing, exploring, and meeting other people in their twenties and thirties who understood on a personalContinue reading “Poem: Perfect Imperfection”
Learning to Let Go
My husband and I loaded the kids, the dog, and everything else we needed for a couple days on the road into the car late Friday morning. He’d already been into work earlier that morning, into which time I’d tried to force an entire day’s worth of grading, emailing, and student meetings while our threeContinue reading “Learning to Let Go”
Words and Coffee Writing 