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Losing Your Mom at 18: A Poem
I have been thinking a lot lately about loss. About death and conversely about life. These thoughts don’t inundate me by chance. This month, 21 years ago, my mom died. She had breast cancer. She was 51. When she died, my brother had just turned 18. Familiarly close to both of my children’s ages now.…
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Simple Pleasures: The Moments of Life
In anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself thinking of the family and friends I am thankful for. I am thankful for every person that has crossed my path, past or present. Friend, family member, or acquaintance, they have all been important to my journey. Everyone is put in our lives for a reason,…
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The First Man I Ever Loved
This is a picture of my father and me. I just felt I needed to share this today. On a flashback Friday if you will. My parents divorced when I was two and I don’t have many memories of my life during that time. One thing I can remember is my dad singing. He has…
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When All Else Fails, Love
This really has nothing to do with breast cancer awareness. Everyone has their different battles in life. For some it is breast cancer. Whether we are diagnosed ourselves, supporting someone who is, or lose someone to the disease. When all else fails, love. Whether it is breast cancer, worrying about our kids, losing a pet, nurturing difficult relationships,…
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Breast Cancer Awareness: It’s About Showing Up
Yesterday, I hosted a breast cancer awareness open house. Breast cancer is a cause that is close to my heart and I wanted a chance to bring people together, talk about breast cancer, and hopefully raise a little money in the process. It was a relatively simple way to get women thinking about their…
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A Wahine Wednesday Christmas Morning
Christmas fell on a Wednesday this year. Luckily none of us have little ones at home that require waking up at 6am to start the Christmas festivities. In fact, my teenagers requested not being woken up until 10. That is why I can even be sitting at this computer. I am not sure if this…
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What A Stingray Had To Remind Me
Today is Wahine Wednesday. The 35th Wednesday on our road to 52. And, ya know, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. On the way to my plan of surfing this 35th Wednesday, I was stung by a stingray. An occupational hazard when you are a surfer. Tiare had actually been stung on Monday. How…
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Traces of Her: Weekly Writing Challenge
My mother died 6 days after I got married. I was 26. She was my role model, my biggest cheer leader, my sounding board, my confidant. My best friend. She loved unconditionally. She showed me how to handle difficulties and problems with courage and grace. As I became a young woman, she kept judgment to…
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Weekly Photo Challenge-Connections
Daily Prompt: Connections Connections are bonds of love. This picture of connection touches me deep in my soul. My teenage son on the left and my younger brother on the right. They live 700 miles apart. They see each other once a year. Yet, their connection is a force to be reckoned with. It is…
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Love To Calm A Stormy Sea
Four months ago we organized a small paddle out. The first one I’ve been involved in. A ‘Paddle Out’ is a memorial to honor friends and loved ones that have died. A way for surfers to pay tribute to people they have lost. Everyone paddles out beyond the breakwater where the seas are calm. They…