How to Make it Through that First Year of Grief
On an afternoon in mid-July, my then-husband said to me, “Perhaps we should separate.” This was the day before we went on vacation to Niagara Falls. It was not a great [...]
hope
Can Reading Be Hopeful in an Age of Cynicism?
Andrew Hartley is used to pissing people off. The author of 21 published books in multiple genres, Andrew’s work spans ghost stories set in his native northern England, a [...]
The Boy In The Playroom
When I was seven, I was healed by a miracle. That’s how my parents always told it. The night before, we’d had company. It was a weeknight, which meant my sister and I [...]
When Your Trauma Doesn’t Fit the Image of PTSD
I’ve run a blog for the last five years about the intersection of my chronic physical and mental illnesses and my hopes of living a life of joy despite and sometimes even [...]
That’s What She Said | All I Want for Christmas is to be Made Whole
Christmas is hard. Also, that’s what she said. While there are many – quite vocal – people who love the holiday season, with the lights and baking and [...]
True Stories | Chosen Family: International Adoption
At the end of our thirties and after seven years of marriage with two heartbreaking miscarriages along the way, my husband and I had reluctantly settled into the acceptance [...]
Personal Essays | Caregiver First, Elizabeth Second
2009, early high school. If you had asked 15-year-old Elizabeth to describe herself with three terms, “caregiver” would have been first. Before student, before sister, [...]
6 Ways You Can Spread Kindness, Hope, and Good Cheer With Just a Pen
You’re probably familiar with the saying,“The pen is mightier than the sword,” coined by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton, and for good reason. The idea [...]
Notes from Nanea | Dear Little Brown Girl
My dear Sweatpants & Coffee tribe, I created this space, with the help of many amazing and talented people, with the intention of offering comfort in a chaotic and [...]
Sweatpants & Soul | Revival
I was born on thirteen forested acres, in a trailer on the American River Canyon in Northern California. Whenever my parents had any extra money, it went into renovating this [...]
