mental-health
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This Time is Different
Dear Mom, It’s been a week since the election. A week where I, and I imagine many Americans as well, have been going through the stages of grief. It’s a strange journey to rapidly grieve like this. To wake up… Continue reading
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Today is Going to Be Challenging
Dear Mom, I keep sitting down to write to you this week and I keep failing. I keep starting topics that go nowhere, and I keep giving up. At first, I thought maybe I simply ran out of things to… Continue reading
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Running Free
Dear Mom, Scotland had her second dive meet over the weekend. After so many setbacks with mistakes from the dive program. So many cancelled practices after the pool had to shut down due to little kids pooping in the water.… Continue reading
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A Little Magic
Dear Mom, Over the weekend we watched a movie about imaginary friends, and it sparked some truly magical conversations at dinner. We asked each other, what if we had imaginary friends? I could really visualize Scotland’s friend. Long curly hair… Continue reading
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Navigating Setbacks
Dear Mom, I often feel like I’ve turned a corner. That I’ve somehow figured out a way to survive my life without you. Then, something happens. Not always something big. Often, it’s a seemingly insignificant moment which reminds me that… Continue reading
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Clearing My Clutter
Dear Mom, It feels like, for the last few years, my life has been cluttered. There are always too many things going on at the same time. Juggling that ever important work/life balance. Raising kids while also still in many… Continue reading
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Finding Compassion in Rejection
Dear Mom, Rejection sucks. Whenever I get that dreaded no, my body tenses up and I turn into this insecure version of myself who assumes the worst and wonders if I should simply give up on my dreams. Ok, that… Continue reading
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Because I Said Yes
Dear Mom, I asked the kids today what it feels like when I say no to them. Scotland said, “It feels like I don’t get ice cream. Like a beautiful parrot gets trapped in a bird cage.” Idris said, “It… Continue reading
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Therapy Room
Dear Mom, I’ve been looking at your old journals again. I found an entry where you spoke about all the things you did during your day to keep your mind off your diagnosis. Particularly in the end after the tumor… Continue reading
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Unpacking My Layers of Regret
Dear Mom, When I was a teenager, you told me that I too often surrounded myself with broken people. That I’d seek out friends who needed help. Who needed to be fixed. Did it ever occur to you that I… Continue reading
Sober Letters to Mom 