I met Maya Angelou in New York at an event for the last book she wrote, Mom and Me and Mom, in 2012. I waited for about an hour in line to meet her and as I was waiting, I was …
Debunking the Old Martha
For years I believed there was something wrong with the way I was wired. As a go-getter, recovering perfectionist, and ultra-responsible person, I prided myself on meeting and exceeding expectations (as a wife, mom, friend, colleague). But I often fell …
When His Promises Are Plenty Good Enough for Our Disappointment
My sweet girl. Sat on the sidewalk and wept. The ground supported her weight but not her disappointment. Some friends, a little older, had left her behind. As they rode away on their bikes, she labored to keep pace on …
The Three Elements to Transformation
If you know anything about building a fire, you know it takes three elements for a fire to burn: a fuel source (e.g. wood, gasoline, plastic, etc.), heat (like a spark from a lighter), and oxygen. All three elements must …
Second Grade Dreams
Some kids dream about growing up to become athletes, singers or doctors. Me? I dreamt about college. I recall with great detail the day when my second grade teacher talked to our class about what we wanted to be when …
A New Season to Hold Loosely
I just dropped our three-year-old off at her first day of preschool and have now entered a new season of parenting. One in which I have two mornings a week to myself. I have big plans for these five hours. …
The Gift of Surrender
My strategy for finishing a puzzle is a three-pronged approach: I find the corners, build the frame, and fill in the middle until it’s done. My daughter on the other hand has an entirely different game plan. She searches excitedly …
Easy Overnight Oats
We all survived the first week of school! We made it through the excruciating back-to school supplies list and the complaints from the boys about “having to go to school EVERYDAY.” We pulled through my two-year-old’s tears (which became my …
Never a Failure
I began my career as a high school English teacher with an unapologetically idealistic attitude about the difference I could make in my student’s lives and in Chicago’s far South Side community as a whole. After all, when you’re young …
Five Reasons Why We Don’t Talk About Depression
I’m in my ‘30s and a mama of three. I probably seem like a super happy person most of the time. I love to laugh, sing show tunes, read novels, go on beach vacations and drink coffee (or wine) with close friends. I love writing, …