Change in Vision

Once again, I’m dealing with a shift of something I cannot control. My eyes are at the mercy of time and decrease swelling. This last week, I’ve noticed an increase of in double vision. In looking at my phone or reading a book, words split suddenly. This morning, I woke up to a reality hoveringContinue reading “Change in Vision”

Settle into the Moment

I’m surrounded by people. I do not speak. I half-listen as my mind bounces around from one thought to another.  I catch words here and there. I clap and don’t realize I’m clapping. Awareness allows me to settle into the moment.  It takes several tries and I’m still not sure I got it. I checkContinue reading “Settle into the Moment”

Turn Off

The tv is too loud, screaming news overwhelmingly bleak. So I leave it off and turn to books and podcasts. I turn off my phone for hours at a time. I turn off social media and embrace the quiet. I lie down with a pillow over my eyes, listening to a story. I sit byContinue reading “Turn Off”

healing

breathe in breathe out through the belly close my eyes focus on nothing calm the mind stop overthinking i’m healing my body is doing what it’s supposed to do things are improving round up my distractions they no longer serve me their familiarity isn’t comforting like breathing is in and out in and out distractionsContinue reading “healing”

My Body Remembers

My body remembers feeling the pain. I wasn’t supposed to feel pain. And yet, it’s ingrained in my body. Something went wrong. Nothing’s wrong now. And yet, I’m crying. The fear my body holds is visceral. My brain tries to calm me down. It does not work. I keep crying, I breathe. I panic. IContinue reading “My Body Remembers”

When Time Slowed Down

When I was a child, time moved slowly. I’d go out front and climb the tree that was in our yard. I felt like I was out there for hours when it was probably about thirty minutes. I was present. I wasn’t distracting myself with my own thoughts. I wasn’t worried about what I hadContinue reading “When Time Slowed Down”

Quiet Mind

I sit in a room with my legs crossed and my hands on my knees. I’m focused on my breath, trying hard to ignore my racing thoughts. The music is relaxing and the yoga teacher is the only one who is speaking. Her presence is calming and trusting. I feel safe. I’m trying to getContinue reading “Quiet Mind”

My Favorite Books of the Decade!

Dear Reader, This isn’t the usual blog post you’re used to reading every week. I wanted to switch things up a bit for my final blog post of the year (and the decade!). Beneath this note is a list of my 40 favorite books I’ve read in the last decade! The organization of the listContinue reading “My Favorite Books of the Decade!”

The Best Christmas Gift

Thirteen years ago today, my parents took me to PetSmart after speech therapy to look at the cats. We had gotten a cat earlier in the year who turned out to be kind of a dud. She was sweet but full of nerves (still is). Little did I know, my parents had been to PetSmartContinue reading “The Best Christmas Gift”

Brain Reset

It feels like her brain constantly resets. That’s the best way I can understand it. To watch the ones you love become different people is disheartening. It’s the disease they have that causes them to revert to children or toddlersdepending on how bad it is.You love them but it’s difficult to watch. It’s difficult toContinue reading “Brain Reset”