bshort1968

While You Complain, Let Me Explain

It takes a lot to get me fired up. I generally let people say what they want without inserting my thoughts and opinions. I let things roll on by and if I don’t like it, I hit the DELETE button. This week I read a post on social media that annoyed me, but I didn’tContinue reading “While You Complain, Let Me Explain”

Grief Emerging From a Closet Purge

This weekend Todd is camping, and he even took Ben with him. I cannot believe how much quieter the house is without the young pup following me every minute of the day. Coco is content and thrilled to just be left alone. Enjoying the calm that surrounds her while she sleeps and eats. I amContinue reading “Grief Emerging From a Closet Purge”

Scorched Psyche, Slaughter, and Sleepless Nights

The pattern has repeated itself night after night for almost a week. I need to figure out how to disrupt it and clear the debris. I can only hope that my scorched psyche will heal once I empty the crazy in my mind. Writing has always been my cheapest form of therapy. For my sanityContinue reading “Scorched Psyche, Slaughter, and Sleepless Nights”

Creating a Moment of Care in the Chaos

Raising children is accompanied by a list of never-ending tasks. The to-do list is never finished. When our child (or adult) has complex developmental or intellectual disabilities, the list is long. We are expected to work a full-time job, maintain the home, transport our kids to countless therapy and medical appointments, along with school andContinue reading “Creating a Moment of Care in the Chaos”

The Gift Of Unlearning: Raising a Child with Intellectual Disabilities

I remember the day Emily was born. She came along twenty-two months after her brother, Justin. It was such an easy delivery. The doctor barely arrived in time to catch Emily as she emerged from the safety of my womb. I remember teasing the doctor that she shouldn’t get paid to come in just inContinue reading “The Gift Of Unlearning: Raising a Child with Intellectual Disabilities”

Dancing in Disconnect

This past weekend, Todd and I decided to take the family camping for the long weekend. Justin wanted to stay home and have friends over, and he agreed to care for our senior poodle, Coco. We chose our location and planned our meals. I prepared all the things needed to take Emily on a roadContinue reading “Dancing in Disconnect”

Finally Diagnosed: A Twenty-Two-Year Journey

In 2020 I was a guest on the podcast Once Upon a Gene. The host and I had a long discussion about Emily’s undiagnosed journey. I was very clear with the host (and now friend), Effie Parks, that I was okay not having a diagnosis. I knew a diagnosis was not going to change EmilyContinue reading “Finally Diagnosed: A Twenty-Two-Year Journey”

Experiencing a Heart Smile

What makes you smile? That was the question we pondered in our listening circle group today. It was an easy question for me. “The better question to ask me is what doesn’t make me smile? I smile all the time. I smile at puppies, kittens, babies, commercials, and my kids, and when I connect withContinue reading “Experiencing a Heart Smile”

Different Path and Different Journey

“Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow.”-Vincent Van Gogh Cradled in her arms is her first grandchild. At two months of age, Wyatt craves the comfort of a warm embrace and the sway of arms that hold him while he sleeps. As I watch Patti gently rocking Wyatt toContinue reading “Different Path and Different Journey”

The Urban Farm Era Coming to a Close

Last week as I processed the pearl-sized loss of my goldfish I got hit with another small loss. On the anniversary of my dad’s passing, my sweet Tinkerbell was taken from the coop by raccoons. Tink was a beautiful bantam Buff Brahma that we acquired in June 2016. A result of a very cruel seniorContinue reading “The Urban Farm Era Coming to a Close”