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 ...

Why must we behave like starving, hollow children? Always desiring more when our bellies are full. We glance at one another on this earth, allowing ourselves to act like Cain and Abel. “This is not fair!” a fellow soul cries out, as the individual takes their well-earned reward. Treasure that fills the other with envy ...

Physical touch has never been my love language. I have not been a hugger, kisser, or cuddler. This sentiment did not change even after I became a mom. My oldest was born six years ago. Even when I met my firstborn, what I’ve heard described as the moment that makes all the pain, hardship, waiting, ...

I have the privilege of being both a pediatric nurse and a mom. With 11 years of hospital bedside experience in the pediatric intensive unit, I encounter a range of patients and families. Each meeting is unique and special in its own way. Something new I learn every shift, is how to foster resilience in ...

If I have one wish for you, my love, it would be that you never let the world dim your light. Sometimes, it is cruel and wicked, punishing the innocent and sinner alike, showing no mercy, with the flames of hatred growing more intense with every act of revenge. It leaves a trail of devastation ...