The recent passing of a friend, and then a friend’s mother, had me revisiting loss and my relationship with grief. I am always surprised by its low blow, its unfairness. I had hoped that life experience would build a protective armor around my heart. I’d be stronger; I wouldn’t cry so easily; I’d be less... Continue Reading →
Not giving up . . .
A summer storm has interrupted the predictable sunny days of August in Southern California. My bedroom window wide open, the curtain pulled aside, I lay on my bed listening to the rain dance on the back patio and I welcome the rush of cool air. The book I’ve been reading rests on my chest, and... Continue Reading →
Healing and hope . . .
Driving south on Pacific Coast Highway, the sun shines and I listen to The Moth Radio Hour. The storyteller reminisces about a Christmas homecoming after his first semester of college. He and his mom, too poor to buy presents, decide to cut pictures from magazines, images of gifts they would have given one another if... Continue Reading →
Photographs and memories . . .
I lift the dusty lid from the cardboard box revealing envelopes stuffed with photographs and negatives. Neatly stacked upright and mostly organized chronologically, some are marked with brief descriptions, Oregon ’82, Catalina ’89, and others are not marked at all. I’m looking for a particular picture, something from decades ago that I want to post... Continue Reading →
I see you . . .
We sit on barstools at the counter facing the large open window to Main Street’s foot traffic. Juice from the fish taco I’m devouring runs past my wrist and down my arm, I catch it with a napkin. You haven’t touched your quesadilla, but you have nearly finished your fries. I try to coax you... Continue Reading →
