My Tennessee grandmother had a ceramic porch decoration that said "Never Hurry, Never Worry" on it. It hangs in my home now as a reminder, mainly because I'm probably one of the biggest worriers on the planet and need the encouragement. I worry about my kids, I worry about employment for myself, I worry about … Continue reading Does Worry Ever Help?
chaos
Coming Out of Hiding
It's July 1, and I realized I had absolutely nothing to write in June. I was busy being quiet, watching, learning, absorbing, grieving, and trying to make sense of everything that's going on in the world. When I feel confused and scared, I don't have a lot to write about. I fear pissing people off. … Continue reading Coming Out of Hiding
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Threshold
At the start of this decade, I had just turned 40 and celebrated my 14th wedding anniversary to my kids’ dad. My older child was about to turn 10, My younger child had just turned 6 and had just been diagnosed with autism. I had no idea my life was going to blow up and … Continue reading Threshold
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Letter to Myself Five Years Ago
Dear 2014 Kristi, I’m writing to you from five years in the future, and there are some important things you need to know. The pain you’re in won’t last forever. The dark thoughts you’re having are understandable considering what he’s been doing, but I am here to tell you that you’re going to … Continue reading Letter to Myself Five Years Ago
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Ch-ch-ch-changes
It always seems like when I’ve got one thing going on, I have fifteen other things going on simultaneously. Maybe it’s because action begets action or something. Whatever it is, my life is about to get really interesting, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it. My daughter is headed off to college in a … Continue reading Ch-ch-ch-changes
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Adulting
I haven’t been this glad to see a week end in a long time. Both my kids have been sick, my dog is injured, and there are a dozen little things in need of attention/repair around my house. It’s one of those weeks where everything has seemed to just pile up with one thing going … Continue reading Adulting
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10 Things To Do When Sh*t Goes Sideways
Is your husband enjoying the mother of all midlife crises? Has your wife received terrifying medical news? Is your teen experiencing extreme depression? Has your toddler just been diagnosed with a a condition you can't pronounce? Welcome to the shitshow. Many of us have been there, and most of us have made it through. Life's … Continue reading 10 Things To Do When Sh*t Goes Sideways
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The Drowning
At first, I didn't realize he was drowning. He was captain of the ship when he lost himself in stormy seas and decided the best course of action was to sink it. Many of us, the children too, went down with him. In the middle of that dark ocean, I would see him periodically, bobbing to the surface. His … Continue reading The Drowning
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The Highly Defensive
Have you ever had to deal with a highly defensive person? The kind of person who, when asked about anything, jumps to deflect, defend, minimize, or dismiss? Highly defensive people have very little ability to look at themselves, to question their behaviors or thoughts, or to make corrections. They typically lack compassion and empathy. They … Continue reading The Highly Defensive
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Once
first published 11/10/16 There was this one time I didn't get what I wanted. It was a big thing that I wanted. The thing I wanted affected my life and my children's lives. I changed some of my own behaviors in order to make that thing better. I talked about that thing. I prayed … Continue reading Once
Meatballs & Butterflies 