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.
Category: Grief
Ice Cold Nuka Cola and the Quiet Aftermath
“An ice-cold Nuka Cola, the silence of a house once too loud, and the reminder that sometimes friendship is quieter than we expect. The Wasteland, Burning Man, and life after loss all blur together into strange reflections.”
Counting Avoidance
When avoidance becomes a way of life, even lists can feel like enemies. Between writer’s block, PTSD, and the fallout from strokes, I’m learning how to navigate decision-making, distraction, and guilt—with help from The Count and a very patient dog.
Laughing in the Dark
Dark humor isn’t cruelty—it’s survival. From the Army to EMS to nursing, it’s the only way I’ve made sense of the senseless. If you’re shocked, that’s fine—my mom and my dog get it, and they’re the only jury that matters.