My Heart is Riding Shotgun

May 22, 2019 was the last day of Tim’s life on Earth. The last day of the Tim that we knew and loved. And this same day was an unwanted beginning for me.

When reaching for a purse or backpack off the top shelf of the closet, what’s the greatest thing that’s dropped to the floor?

I grew up in a very small town in the Midwest. It had one traffic light. A state highway ran through the center of town, so I am pretty sure the only reason for the light was to slow down semi-trucks.

How often do you listen to your gut? Do you trust it? I like to think about that feeling, that voice, my intuition, as a valued companion.

Most of my writing comes from a thought, memory, or an event. It usually starts small until I can’t get it out of my mind. So I put it on paper, and there it grows.

My place is in the driver’s seat. I suppose the main reason is that I’m prone to car sickness. Staying focused on the road, and knowing when the starts, stops, and curves are coming keeps the...

In 2022, I went on 79 hikes, forty-four of which were on trails new to me. For the past three years, I’ve been documenting my annual hiking activity. It’s not a race. It’s not a goal.

My mom has a new teddy bear that keeps her company. She explained to the nurse how she sewed it including the Daisy patterned hospital gown. But the truth is, my Mom has never sewn. Or has she?

On any given day we may look and feel a little different than a previous day. We are formed and influenced by experiences, both good and bad, and these live in our mind and body.

I loved climbing trees as a kid. What an adventure - finding my way up and through the maze of limbs and examining the rooftops of neighboring homes feeling like I was being let in on some secret.

With a pause in my step and a big sigh, I said it out loud. Why am I doing this? I’ve asked myself this before. It’s usually when I’m feeling tired, exasperated or even doubt.

I paused to smell a rose. With the scent, tears puddled in my eyes. Was it a memory, nostalgia, or just the pure beauty of it? I wasn’t sure.