Happily Single in the Wasteland

“Why aren’t you dating again?” people ask. The answer isn’t simple, but it is mine: being single isn’t loneliness—it’s freedom.

Surgery and Strange Conversations

Facing surgery with equal parts nerves and hope, I reflect on the strangeness of convincing a surgeon I was ready—and on gratitude for my family, the VA, and the promise of pain relief.

Did My Best

Grief doesn’t come with an instruction manual. My therapist reminded me today: I didn’t do it wrong. Different doesn’t mean broken. Giving myself grace, like I give others, might be the hardest part of this race.

Stay in Your Lane, or at Least Stay on Topic

Sometimes the best teacher isn’t a lecture or a video tutorial—it’s a video game, a camper project, or even a dog who reminds you that you matter.