AKA "The Writing Woman"
On my drive from Michigan to Florida, I listened to the end of Trevor Noah’s beautiful memoir, Born a Crime: Stores From a South African Childhood. When he described the pain he felt upon hearing that his mother had been shot in the head, his words resonated with me immediately.
I had to pause the book so I could … Read the blog
Who am I?
It’s been nine days since I left Michigan to go on my first solo drive to Florida, and I’m now on the way back home.
As the trip progressed, I started to feel more like myself, but also like a new person. There are things about traveling alone that I liked intermingled with times I was lonely … Read the blog
Dear Rick,
I’m glad I made the trip.
Having made the journey is like a big sigh of relief – now. It wasn’t that way at first. It was a challenge, a thing I knew I had to do to reach closure, to continue with my new life.
A new life I didn’t ask for or want.
The first evening, … Read the blog
Yesterday was day two of my stay in Florida – my first trip driving by myself from Michigan, my first vacation without Rick.
I was sitting on the beach alone, watching the sunset and missing him, trying to feel him, thinking only of him.
My friend Traci called from Michigan to check on me. She knew this was going to … Read the blog
Dear Rick,
My mind continues to go back to that day last August, the day you called me in to lay with you. I was working from home, as usual, and we had eaten Burger King in the park for lunch. Now it was 4pm, and I had just finished my work day in my home office. You had been … Read the blog
My life is consumed by grief, by your presence in my memories, by your absence in my day to day existence.
Everything else is an attempt at distraction.
… Read the blog
Dear Rick,
I can’t stand it. I can’t stand that you’re not here with me.
Yes, I’m proud of myself. I drove to Florida. But the pride doesn’t count for much when compared to the misery I’m feeling right now.
Not seeing you in the chair next to me at sunset was devastating. You’re supposed to be here. And, once … Read the blog
Day two of my solo journey started out okay. I awoke to great weather in Bowling Green, Kentucky – warm and sunny. It was strange packing the car by myself. I always traveled with Rick and he usually packed while I finished dressing. I’ll admit, Rick spent most of our marriage finding things to do while waiting for me.
Our … Read the blog
I made it through day one of my driving trip from Michigan to Florida. I had three small meltdowns triggered by songs on the radio, plus some memories that surfaced as I passed through locations we visited on past trips.
Three days ago was the seven month anniversary of Rick’s death. In the months after he died, I never imagined … Read the blog
Dear Rick,
I made it through another significant day. Our first date was March 9, 1996. We celebrated the occasion every year, and yesterday was a tough one.
I had to pause a few times during the work day to cry. I just miss you so terribly that I can’t stand it. I think back on that date and know … Read the blog