“Tears are words that need to be written.” ~Paulo Coelho It was lovely to see you today. I haven’t seen you in such a long time. So much has happened since the last time we saw each other. You asked me how I was. I politely replied, “I’m fine” and forced a smile that I […]
“You don’t have to rebuild a relationship with everyone you’ve forgiven.” ~Unknown It’s natural, when you’re hurting and lonely, to want to reach out to people you’ve been close to in the past. Especially if there’s unfinished business with someone. And especially given the added isolation that comes with a global pandemic. Whether or not […]
“We eventually learn that emotional closure is our own action.” ~David Deida When my last relationship ended, I didn’t really understand why. After eight years together and still feeling love for each other, my partner walked away saying he didn’t feel able to commit. He didn’t want to work on the relationship because he felt […]
Trigger warning: This post deals with an account of suicide and euthanasia. “Kindness can be its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” ~Eric Hoffer The first time I sat with a person contemplating suicide, I had no idea until it was too late. I think about her often. She was a stranger. […]
“You will survive, and you will find purpose in the chaos. Moving on doesn’t mean letting go.” ~Mary VanHaute I was ten years old when I discovered the truth. He didn’t fall. He wasn’t pushed. It wasn’t an accident. He jumped. Suicide isn’t a concept easily explained to a six-year-old, much less her younger siblings, […]
Last year my uncle died shortly after someone I love went through a pretty traumatic breakup. I love all my family, but I wasn’t really close to my uncle and didn’t know him all that well, so I was more grieving for my mother and aunt than myself. As I bore witness to the deep […]
“Sometimes the only closure you need is the understanding that you deserve better.” ~Trent Shelton I’ll never forget the day we met. It was a classic San Francisco day. The sky was a perfect cerulean blue. The sun sparkled brightly. I ventured from my apartment in the Haight to Duboce Park to enjoy the Saturday. […]
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” ~Albert Einstein “I don’t want to live anymore. I don’t want to be here. I can’t do this. It hurts too much. It’s too hard.” I’m curious how many times I’ve heard these words over my lifetime. From different people, […]
“Live and let live.” ~Unknown So there I was, sitting in front of the Zoom meeting, when it happened. The overwhelming grief just hit me like a freight train. And no matter how much emotional training I tried to dig into, or self-help tricks I tried to muster up, nothing could stop the train in […]
“Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you, but to help you realise your hidden potential and power, let difficulties know that you too are difficult.” ~Abdul Kalam Do you sometimes daydream that your mom is gone, and all your troubles disappear along with her? I used to imagine that, too. When Mom […]
