I’m sitting on a plane, just now departing Birmingham and heading to Tampa for a busy few days of professional responsibilities- a presentation, a recruiting event, and a Board meeting for my international clarinet organization. I grew up in Tampa and spent the beginning of my career there, and I’m excited to see my sister … More On Birthdays, Grief Days, and Animal Therapy
In this time of grieving for Sophie in the last couple of days of my holiday break, I feel like I’m in limbo- ranging from feeling emotionally numb to being racked with sobs. There are reminders and triggers everywhere I look, sounds that I hear that just have to be her walking right behind me … More On Memory Dances
As it is New Year’s Eve, I had a very different post planned for today, but life changes in an instant, doesn’t it? Our Sunday began as it typically does, with quiet conversation and snuggle time with the animals. We treasure this one morning of the week where we can linger in bed, not having … More Upon Which Heaven Gains Another Angel: A Tail of Love
I wasn’t expecting the rush of emotion, but the wave of grief crashed over me and tears stung my eyes. Dan and I had gone to our favorite antique shop to wander around as the Christmas music danced through the air. Suddenly, I missed my mother so much that I couldn’t breathe and I wanted … More On Holidays and Tender Hearts: When Grief Calls
I was in the middle of rehearsing a new piece with a soprano colleague yesterday for a CD project on the music of composer Lori Laitman. The text of the song was from a poem by Joyce Sutphen, Poet Laureate of Minnesota, Burning the Woods of my Childhood, and as I played and listened to … More On Moments Past and Present
I remember in the days and weeks after my mother died being acutely aware of every marker of time of her passing…She’s been gone three days…She’s been gone a month now…I couldn’t imagine how the heart wrenching pain would ever subside, how I would truly be able to breathe again without feeling that part of … More Four Mother’s Days
Coops… A year ago a period of loss and challenge entered into our lives; in April we lost our beloved cat Kasey to cancer with very little warning and I had a hysterectomy. In May we lost a dear friend suddenly who was like a brother to us. In June we lost our soul dog … More A New Chapter
November first was All Souls’ Day, the day to commemorate the memory of our departed loved ones. So many precious ones gone as life seems to race by. My mother and father, oldest brother and sister, dear aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, beloved teachers, dear, dear friends, pets; each loss leaving a tear in my … More All Souls’ Day
The last photo I took of Mom, sleeping peacefully. How can it already be that tomorrow marks three years since my mother died? Those last moments in St. Vincent's Comfort Care suite with the early morning sun slipping through the blinds are still crystal clear in my memory, every word, every breath. The difference? Now … More A Nod to the Hole in my Heart
When life feels particularly chaotic and stressful, I find myself looking for the good in little bits and pieces; anything that reminds me of the beauty and joy in the world and helps me to hold onto hope, remembering that tough times are there to make us appreciate the periods of smoother sailing. The past … More Little Bits and Pieces
The View from Here 