Growth and change are two of the most defining aspects of life. Whether it's a crab shedding its exoskeleton to make room for new growth or a human transitioning from one relationship to another, we all experience these shifts in our lives. Female crab shells litter Fort Monroe Beach’s shores. Alongside them are skeletons no one sees but me, phantom beach companions and even a charming proposal.
Personal Growth
What My Trigger Thumb Surgery Taught Me About Emotional Pain
I waited a year to fix my thumb because I was afraid of surgery. Here's what I learned about the difference between numbing pain and actually healing—and why we need to visit the sad places.
When Faith Moves Mountains: A Family’s Prayer Journey Through Medical Crisis (Repost)
Six years ago, my brother P.J. battled an ulcer that sought to make a widow of his wife and leave my nieces and nephew fatherless. My family battled right back in prayer, and God worked a miracle. Today, a similar circumstance reminds me of this story, where I raised an Ebenezer worth revisiting now.
When Your Body Forces You to Slow Down: Lessons from Hand Surgery
Four hand surgeries in fifteen months taught me that sometimes our bodies know what our minds refuse to accept. Here's what I learned about rest, limits, and listening to what hurts.
Leaving Teaching to Write Full-Time: Is This My Midlife Crisis or My Calling?
After 16 years in the classroom, I'm not signing my teaching contract. A friend's sudden death at 44 made me realize: when do you give up safe and comfortable to do what you were created to do?
Dreams That Chase You: How Puerto Rico Called Me Home to Myself
Some dreams don't wait for permission—they chase you across oceans and through heartbreak. This is how Puerto Rico became the backdrop for rediscovering who I was meant to be.
What Matters Most: Lessons in Pursuits, People, and Poetry
Loss has a way of clarifying what actually matters. Here's what Joshua's death taught me about chasing the right things, investing in people, and finding beauty in unexpected places.
The Last Spring: A Story of Love and Loss
Some seasons carry extra weight because you don't know they're the last. This is the story of Joshua's final spring and how it changed everything about how I see life and love.
The Power of Sharing Your Story: Depression and Connection
Sometimes the most healing thing we can do is share our cup—our story, our struggle, our hope. Here's why vulnerability creates the connections we desperately need.
Social Media and Depression: Managing Your Digital Footprint
How we show up online during depression can feel complicated. Here's what I've learned about authenticity, boundaries, and hope in the digital age.
Writer's Growth 