The holidays stir emotions — memories of what once was, the weight of what is, and the uncertainty of what’s ahead. For caregivers, present or former, those emotions often feel magnified. You’re holding your own needs while tending to someone else’s, or the memory of them. The world keeps turning, even when life feels heavy.
What if Gratitude Could Change Your Day? Read More »
In the spirit of Halloween, I came upon an article about the Appalachian Granny Witches who served in areas of East Tennessee. Not tied to Wiccan traditions, these women acted as community healers and midwives, using plant knowledge and folk magic for medical care. They could also be deeply religious, blending their faith with their
What Mask Are you Wearing? Read More »
In La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, the first two days November smell like marigolds and desert sand and sea air. The plaza fills with laughter, candlelight, and men in glorious drag as Catrinas—lace fans, painted faces, and all. My parents lived there for twenty years, and every fall they wandered through the town square, admiring the ofrendas and soaking in that mix of reverence and joy.
Five Things I Learned | from Día de los Muertos Read More »
Happy New Year 2025. To me, a new year feels like the first, crisp page of an empty notebook, the clean surface of a blank canvas, or a pristine beach with nary a footprint embedded in the expanse of white sand. It’s a world of possibilities and wonder. What will this new year hold?
The holidays, with their glittering lights and joyful traditions, often bring both joy and a heavy weight of expectation – especially for caregivers. It’s easy to feel like you must keep everything as it has always been, holding onto past traditions and memories as though they define the season. But caregiving changes us; it changes what we can give, what we can do, and how we experience this time of year. The truth is, we simply cannot do all the things we used to. And that’s okay.
Holiday Reflections Read More »
