Early in life, I equated being good and right with being lovable. The result was to stuff a world of ideas and dreams deep within because it prevented me from being disappointed–which felt wrong somehow. A skewed perspective, compounded with trauma, kept a tight grip on me for many years. Fear routinely drove my decision…… Continue reading The Unveiling of a Birthday Surprise
Mother’s Day evokes a wide spectrum of emotions–from deep satisfaction to inexplicable sorrow. For as many mothers there are in the world, there are that many varieties of experiences with a mother and as a mother. While I never imagined I would be a mother [for fear of not being a good one], I cannot…… Continue reading Mother’s Day Experiences
Although I was born and raised in Illinois, I moved to Texas to complete my student teaching experience. It felt like a study abroad opportunity, but it carried a smaller price tag. I expected tumble weeds, cowboys, and lots of wide-open spaces. While I wish I could tell you I am exaggerating, I most certainly…… Continue reading Just Below the Surface
We have witnessed our fair share of hoarding during quarantine. It started with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, but it did not take long for canned goods and meat to be added to the list of “hard to find” items. The nation responded with a mix of irritation and justification. If you had the sacred…… Continue reading Quarantine Chronicles 8.0 [Hoarding]
One minute I was upright in the ocean, but in the blink of an eye, I was improperly acquainted with the coarseness of the ocean floor. While involuntarily being drawn in and pushed out of the rip current, I struggled to get vertical and out of the dangerous rhythm. Once my feet were under me…… Continue reading The Residual Effect of Unmeasured Words
Alyssa DeLosSantos 