a poem — barefoot and mud-stained, they dig for larval treasures under logs. crossing rocky paths without a flinch, soles as soft as ever. soft green moss, a bright velvet carpet — a garden for the fingertips. tree trunks full of slate blue lichen, nature’s lace. it’s a private party, just for us. …

A case for living under a rock. — They say ignorance is bliss. And in many ways, they’re right. But what does it say about us if we follow the path of ignorance? Before kids, I watched the local news every morning with a cup of coffee. …

How often do you sidestep the truth? — In parenting circles, I hear it all the time: “I love my kids, but…” “I probably sound like the worst parent saying this, but…” What are we so afraid of? Are we afraid that by not offering a disclaimer, we’ll be seen as a cold and horrible person, doomed to…

Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash

Repeat after me: You’ve Got This. — I know what you’re thinking: “Affirmations are bullshit.” I hear you. I mean, are they really effective? I was as skeptical as you until a painful bout of postpartum depression left me desperate. …

Turn regrets into a life well lived. — I once had a betta fish named Socrates. He was beautiful, really — deep shades of indigo and purple. I put all I could into his care, regularly testing his water and feeding him tiny pieces of green peas when he had swim bladder disease. I was in college, on…

Ask. I’m rooting for you. — Hey, mama. Do you need a break? I’m here to tell you — ask for a break. Unapologetically. When you get it, take it. If you’re lucky, your partner or family member or friend will offer it up to you, but likely they won’t. Don’t wait for them to offer…

a poem

A reflection on a missed moment of kindness. — The weather was dreary and blustery — the kind of deep, bone-chilling cold you can only find in February. On the bus, my knees clanked together with a primal shivering, my body aching for summer. …