Brave

I am brave. I am hopeful. I am joyful. I am sad and I am heartbroken, And I am still brave. I am lonely and weepy, And I am still brave. I am lost and confused, Still brave. I am unmotivated and unproductive, Still brave. I am crying and in pain beyond any I have …

Mother’s Day

My mother died. She was nearly 88. She had Alzheimer's. It is the process of life:  birth and death. People die every day, Including Moms. It is nothing extraordinary, Not unusual, No big deal. Except that now I have to live the rest of my life without her.

Now

Sometimes you don’t need to know what is next.  Sometimes you just need to know what is now.  Be in the present moment, the next one will come soon enough.  That is Faith. Sometimes you don’t need to know what is next.  Sometimes you just need to know what is now. Being in the present moment …

My Grief, My Growth, My Journey

I am exactly where I am meant to be - in grief and in life. I am healing, I am rediscovering myself, and I am continuing on. I am gentle with myself in this process. He is always a presence in my heart, a bright spot in my mind, a guide in everyday life.  The love …

Al

He knew.  I should have listened.   What would I have done different?  I would have stayed at the hospital longer.  I would have showed up the first day.  I wouldn’t have let him go to surgery.  I would have been there with him. The first time he coded …… I gasp as I write …

Marie

The mother of my husband.  Gone in a flash.  Leaving us behind, astounded that she is gone.   Tough year for the Martino family.  First my husband’s younger brother finally succumbed to the ravages of MS.  His passing was a waiting game.   Then 5 months later his mom.  Her passing was sudden and took …

Thank you, Jennifer.

Hello Jennifer, I am Robin, Al’s wife.  We received word several days ago from Laurie that you will not be able to donate your kidney to Al. Today, when I was walking my dog, I found myself thinking about you and what I might want to say to you if I ever got the opportunity. …

Death and the Antidote

Life is imperfect. People are imperfect. Love is the perfect response. -Kristi Nelson We buried my husband’s youngest brother Robert last week.  He died young at 55.  He left a family aghast at the tragedy of his life. Robert could have been a poster child for the word charisma.  His smile, the glint in his …

Ode to Glitter

Where did my glitter go? When did I lose it? I didn’t see it leave. It must have snuck off One sparkly bit at a time.   I think it left When life got hard And I didn’t know which way to turn. When I was trying to hold it together And I didn’t know …

The Last Time

Remember the kids you used to play with? For me it was the endless summers with the Powell's.  A large family with kids that matched ages with me and my brothers.  Three of us, three of them and we were always doing something. Out of the house in the morning. Perhaps a bike ride to …