The biggest epiphany I had was the realization that no one would save me but myself. I needed to stand up to the monsters in my brain. It fell to me to take control of my environment and decide whether to change or nourish it. No doctor or handbook existed to show the perfect way ...

It had been six months since the dead walked out of the sea. Benjamin sat atop the rounded bluffs, made pitiful by time and the saline air. The beach, an inconsequential strip of sand not long before, was now ghostly silent. Only fading tracks and worn trails hinted at the commotion which had come and ...

My sweater sat, draped over an open drawer. I examined the stains and tears, earned from years of love. The garment seemed to be on its last legs, yet I longed to lose myself in the familiar fabric. When I was six, my grandfather died from a heart attack. “Too full of love,” my mom ...

Living in New York rarely provided comfortable commutes. It was considered lucky if it was a subway transporting you somewhere, but often that’s not the case. My commute was a train to a bus that brought me home. I hated this route, but it proved the fastest way to my destination. Anxiety remained a present ...

I often ask myself when writing a piece, “Am I doing this well?” “Could this be better?” “Am I good enough?” Perfectionism weaves a false narrative that I’m lackluster despite overwhelming proof of otherwise. It’s a consistent roller coaster of emotion, wondering if I come up short when I’m right on time. Too often, I’ve ...

Alone in an empty room, the clock ticks, resounding off the walls. But time stands frozen, as if preserving the stillness of the night. Shadows remain present in the lonely abode, like the pain in my soul. A haunting reminder that becomes worse than any religion can conjure in their minds. My anguish food for ...

A three-year-old boy lies sleeping in his hospital bed. Monitors are silent, white noise plays in the background, and lights are low.  “You aren’t doing your job. You don’t know what you are doing. You need to call the doctor right now!” Outside the room, the little man’s mom is angry and screaming at the ...

Brother and sister are playing together at home. They both want one specific Lego piece, and sharing is not an option. The six-year-old gets angry, stomps around, and throws toys across the room. The five-year-old runs to the corner, silently crying with tears streaming down, and they sulk. These little ones have two drastic reactions ...

A family on a stroll stumbles upon a dessert shop. They all decide to grab one ice cream cone each. Dad chooses strawberry, mom picks vanilla, and the three-year-old settles on cookies and cream with sprinkles. The little one is looking forward to enjoying this tasty treat. She runs out to the bench and trips. ...

Imagine a nine-month-old experimenting with his legs for the first time. His knees are wobbly like a newborn fawn. Splat. He lands on his booty; thank goodness he has all that padding from the diaper. Laughter ensues. “Great job!” shouts Grandma with excitement. “You’re almost there,” Grandpa says with encouragement. This depiction is a typical ...