grieve, write, cook

February 9, 2021.Reading time 2 minutes.

Transparent Moment: Today is the day that my Dad transitioned from this side. Seventeen years ago. Some days I’m full of joy and other days that grief just creeps in and I feel empty, lost, and confused. I felt that the past two weeks. I shared before it’s like the grief before the grief. I […]

Roll Tide Forever, Today and in Heaven

November 21, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

Something about death that has a numbing factor. It’s like I’m helpless. After Mom’s transition, some things just don’t feel the same. The way I respond to death. The knowing that comes before it happens. The grief before the grief. I feel it. Heavy. Sometimes, I feel if I don’t think about it, the reality […]

To The One Needing Encouragement

December 25, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

The journey of grief is so unpredictable, because you never know when it will hit you. Then just like that… It’s easy for people to say they will be there for you, but when you need them most, they aren’t there. Or…they don’t know how to be. I don’t think people get it until it […]

Grief Comes In Waves, But Choose You

August 8, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

I believe in transparency and the power of it. I try my BEST to hold it together, but when that grief hits you in waves, it’s either sink or swim. Lately I’ve been feeling like I’m sinking, and to be honest, I don’t feel like being “strong” (whatever that means). I’ve had a BEYOND overwhelming […]

Birthdays Without My Mom

April 30, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Birthdays are so hard for me. Maybe it’s me missing that phone call at midnight from my Mom beating EVERYONE to the punch to wish me Happy Birthday so she can can say she was the first OR the fact that her presence is no longer here. I miss her so much…and yes, my heart […]

You Would Think It Would Get Easier

August 1, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

I should have known something was wrong, because my Godfather never calls me in the middle of the day, especially while I’m at work. He tried his best not to sound hurt, sad, and broken. I didn’t even want to know, but I needed to know. That’s when he shared with me that his only […]

You Just Learn How To Manage

May 9, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

It’s hard to believe that two years ago on Mother’s Day, out of all days, my life changed forever. I watched my beautiful Mother walk down the steps to greet me at the door (like she always did) of the home I grew up in, before heading to church. She even had on her best, […]

A New Level Of Grief

July 24, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

It has been one year and some months since my Mother transitioned, and I feel like I’m entering a new level of grief. It’s almost as if it happened yesterday and I’m at that (almost) 3 month mark where I was a year ago. The place after the initial shock wore off and reality set […]

This One Is For Us

November 22, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

I’ll admit—I’ve gone into this season with intentional busyness. Some of which was already planned, and the rest was just to keep my mind off the reality that this Thanksgiving holiday would be different from any other. I still give Mama praises for teaching me how to make her famous Dressing…which is hands down THE […]

After the Music Stops, Life Keeps Going

September 26, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

It was the first time that I attended a funeral and repast where I felt empty. Maybe because this one hit home. And maybe because the last time it hit this close (with Daddy), I had my Mom’s love and presence to surround me. Everyone seemed to be in a rush and ready to leave […]