The Axe Forgets; The Tree Remembers*

*African proverb My body has often been the object of critique by people who claimed to love me. Never mind being called “thunder thighs” by the little league football players when I was ELEVEN. Never mind the neighbor boy who said, “You’d be really pretty if you lost weight” when I was 15 and weighed … Continue reading The Axe Forgets; The Tree Remembers*

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

Reflections on 2018

As December progresses, and the year draws to a close, I think about where I’ve been and where I’m going. This was another year of big changes and growth. I am mostly healed from my divorce. My kids’ dad left for good in December of 2014. It’s been four years of learning how to single-parent. … Continue reading Reflections on 2018

Today and Probably Tomorrow

Until I was in my mid-40’s, I believed I could control things in my life. I believed that if I did THIS, then THAT would happen. I believed that if I cared for someone with all-consuming love, then surely they felt the same way about me. I believed that my life was what it was … Continue reading Today and Probably Tomorrow

Last Time

“Lasts” are often bittersweet. Things like graduations, marriages, and births are often huge moments of celebration at the end of something. They have sadness mixed in because of what’s ended, but that’s expected. Stuff like this is the stuff we see coming. We anticipate it, and we wait for it, and we enjoy it when … Continue reading Last Time

Something to Give Up

Put your damn phone down! Nothing says “I don’t care what you’re saying” more than staring into your phone when someone right in front of you is trying to have a conversation. This is something that’s discussed a lot, but I’m still guilty of doing it, and I see more and more people doing it … Continue reading Something to Give Up