grief
Navigating Identity Shifts: From Educator to Creator
Let’s get right to it:Before everything changed, I worked in education.I was the go-to girl: enrichment leader, classroom whisperer, chaos coordinator, snack-slicing, spirit-week-surviving queen.I gave my heart to that work—because that’s who I am. I show up fully. I love deeply. I care hard. But when Nannie passed, everything in me broke. And I didn’t go […]
Easter at Nannie’s: Bittersweet Traditions and Banana Croquettes
We spent Easter lunch with my mom at Nannie’s house this year. It was… hard. There’s just something about walking into a home so full of memories, knowing one of the biggest hearts in the room is no longer there. Still, somehow, it ended up being a sweet day—one that made me cry, laugh, and […]
A Night of Memories, Friendship, and Baby Therapy
Tonight was one of those special evenings that reminded me of the beauty of lifelong friendships. My family and I met up with Ms. Teenie, Nannie’s best friend, at our favorite restaurant for dinner. Along with her was her son, Man—someone I spent so much time with as a child. Nannie and Ms. Teenie worked […]
Between Extremes: Grieving and Coping with Pain
I go from one extreme to the other. Either I sleep for nearly four days straight, or I’m up all night, caught in an endless loop of exhaustion and restlessness. The pain in my hands and fingers doesn’t help, but I know deep down that it’s not just physical. It’s grief. It’s the weight of […]