I just finished this memoir, and it left me with so many thoughts. More than anything, I’m proud of the woman the author became after experiencing such unexpected trauma. I’m proud that she stayed true to herself, even when people told her not to share her story. She chose honesty over comfort, authenticity over silence. … Continue reading Strangers
Category: lifeinmiddleage
Professional Update
Last summer, after moving back to North Carolina, I reconnected with a good friend and colleague. Together we wrote Educating the Uniquely Wired Child: The Workbook. To support the workbook, I launched a companion podcast that was originally intended to be just four episodes. Four episodes turned into eight. Then eight turned into more. I … Continue reading Professional Update
The Wednesday after Mother’s Day
In 2015, on the Wednesday after Mother’s Day, I watched my mom die. It was traumatic, and I hate that this will always be my last memory of her. I’ve shared pieces of that day before, but today I’m reminded again that depression is very real. It held onto my mother so tightly that she … Continue reading The Wednesday after Mother’s Day
Who should change?
The original plan for the Educating the Uniquely Wired Child podcast was simple: four companion episodes to complement the workbook. But somewhere along the way between the conversations and, admittedly, despite the editing, I realized I was having too much fun to stop. So now, I am continuing with new episodes twice a month. Yesterday, … Continue reading Who should change?
Connecting with new people
Over the years, I’ve found it hard to connect with new people. Old friends? Easy.You find a handful of people you can call when… You need to solve all the world’s problems over coffee or a 5K run.Or you need someone to help you bury a body, and they don’t flinch. New people are different. … Continue reading Connecting with new people
Micro celebrations
Jenny Lawson’s new book dropped last week, so of course I binge-listened all weekend while gardening. Her books have a way of finding me exactly when I need them. I will be forever grateful for discovering Furiously Happy the fall after my mom died unexpectedly. It helped me heal in a way I didn’t think … Continue reading Micro celebrations
Words Matter
A friend posted on social media this week that our President said Gavin Newsome had a “mental disability” referring to his dyslexia. Umm… what? Another example of why words and labels matter. Especially as the President of the United States. But there’s an entirely different post related to that loaded statement. For now, I will … Continue reading Words Matter
Educating the Uniquely Wired Child: The Launch
My latest project is officially up and running, and I have all the feelings. Excitement.Fear.Worry.Pride. My first podcast guest was a national expert on childhood behavior. The recording didn’t go quite as I had hoped, which left me feeling disappointed and a little doubtful about the project as a whole. He was what I would … Continue reading Educating the Uniquely Wired Child: The Launch
What is fair and just?
I have been following the Miller hearing for the Raleigh teenager who killed his brother and four neighbors in 2022. He pleaded guilty. But because he was a juvenile at the time of the offense, he cannot automatically be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole under Miller v. Alabama (2012). Today were closing … Continue reading What is fair and just?
Follow your arrow
I have been looking for a job since we knew we were moving back to NC last January. An entire year of surfing LinkedIn, Indeed and Idealist. Hundreds of applications. Tons of interviews and only rejections as a result. A new project landed randomly in my lap a few months ago, and I am super … Continue reading Follow your arrow










