The last year has challenged all of us in different ways. As my mother-in-law said just a month into COVID-19, "there is no one not affected by this." It just looks a little different for each of us. Whether we like it or not, we're all in this together. We see it differently, as though we're all touching one part of a mountain from different parts of it's vast landscape.Some folks are grievi…
"For my Mom. This is a photo of my Mom & Dad from around 1965. I chose this photo because I love the 60s vibe and the convoy in the background, which immediately indicates it was taken during their Peace Corps service as teachers in Malaysia, which played such a huge role in their lives. They always spoke fondly about that time while we were growing up and still keep in touch with their fellow…
"For my nephew Dereck, pictured in the middle. His brother Dustin died of an overdoes three years ago. Dustin was a “Big” personality and impacted many people in a positive way. Derek and Dustin were very close and did everything together. Dustin’s loss has been difficult for the entire family. He was only 26 when he died."…
The direction that we're all headed together isn't completely clear to me, and I'm not sure exactly which path we're on or how to ensure we're headed in the right direction, and this existential confusion about the state of - everything - can put me into a mental stalemate that stalls any and all progress at all. Not the progress that means I've checked things off a to do list or put laundry away…
"For Lauren, my best friend. I'm getting married and while I don't have a biological sister, I do have Lauren. My chosen sister, maid of honor, adventure buddy and best friend for over a decade. As I step into this new stage of life, I want to celebrate and honor the adventures we have had over the past decade and remind us both that there will be many more shenanigans calling our names for years…