*Trigger warnings* Depression, Divorce, Death/loss, grief Suicide, Mental illness, violent content Reader discretion is advised *** The rest of the trip to the hospital was a complete blur to Micki. The stay in the intensive care unit, however, may as well have been a mere intense dream that Micki wished she would just wake up ...

The call no one wants to get at 1 am on Monday morning, “We are closing school because of a suspected threat.” On May 23rd, this is the call I received. Then on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022, a teenager opened fire on an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. On Wednesday, May 25th, I sobbed in ...

A moment that ‘is’ may soon turn to a moment that ‘was.’ Warbler’s singing a tune. Listen ‘now,’ as she may sing a different song or not…next moment.   The Sun rays ‘re piercing through space between railings. Natural light’s causing a geometrical design of shadows on the deck. See ‘now,’ as new shapes may ...

Those were the days when neighbors took pride in knowing each other by first and last names Kids, pets included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors exchanged tomatoes, potatoes, and onions Milk included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors drove their cars, trucks, and trolleys ...

I cannot wait to fly and touch the sky Above the clouds, beside the Sun and Moon Where Stars stand straight in line and wave their “Hi!” Where Plough and Crux appear to watch me swoon   Where Birds adapt to fly beneath the sea Where Green Sea Turtle races Octopus Where Sally Lightfoot Crab ...

On a Sunday night in March, an overwhelming achiness took over my body. Knowing how my body reacts to illness, I grabbed the thermometer to confirm I was running a fever. Well gross! Who has time for this? I slept the entire following day and felt no better. On Tuesday, I tested positive for COVID. ...

Powdery white sand shimmers its quartz in sunlight stars twinkle on ground   Singing cardinal joins the drumming woodpecker branches take a bow   Fluttering pupa amidst the dense, tall sand dunes dotted flowers bloom   Sliding waves ashore bring seaweeds, grasses, and more crabs party with bugs   Diving pelican grabs grub by its ...

Raise your hand if you consider yourself a perfectionist. My hand is raised to the ceiling. I recently decided to embrace imperfection, and now I am a recovering perfectionist. But I am not far enough along in recovery to put my hand down. Perfectionism runs deep. It is not something I can toss out the ...

Born an hour ago, or Day before. You’re One month, or A Hundred years old. Come out and Play.   On March 18th, my friends in neighborhoods around the globe will celebrate Holi. Trays of bright-colored dry powder, Buckets of water, Water-filled balloons, and Golgappas, samosas, gulab jamuns will adorn the tables.   Rules will ...

How did this happen? Just two years ago, I was so active and full of life—hiking, fishing, and lifting weights. In my Krav Maga class, I fought and would lift my then-200-pound now-fiancé. Moving around was no issue, and I had never felt such aches or pain. I had plenty of energy, was lean, and ...