By An Old Soul
I was feeling a bit down and overtired. Unexpected circumstances caused us to get to bed at 12:30 am, and the 3:30 wake-up call came very early. We picked up David’s stepdad to drop him off at the hospital at 5a and headed to Orlando. We had enough time for a yummy breakfast at Denny’s and I made it through airport security just in …
This fall, I discovered a new place to walk and reflect. Petals in the Pines in Canterbury is a little gem. I was won over as soon as I parked in the parking lot, as there were little signs that read “Be careful of the garden when backing up”. Under this warning was another note that read, “Please check your car for our cat”. …
There are few certainties in life. We are born, and we will die. What matters the most is the time we spend in between. That is the time that creates memories. Memories that will comfort us as we age, memories that will keep us alive after we are gone. Memories can bring us strength and also remind us of our pain. But most of …
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! I’m sure I heard this song hundreds of times before the time that …
6 Degrees of Separation is the idea that any one person on the planet is connected to another by 6 or fewer social connections. A couple of days ago, we met with a childhood friend of David’s and we were asked how we first met. Telling people we met at a funeral is technically the right answer, it isn’t the right one. How we …
“Are you ok”? I may tell you, yes, but inside I am screaming in agony. I am trying to get through a day without letting on to the world the pain I feel. Life, plans, daily routine, have come to a screeching halt. I may be going about the motions of work, conversation, daily needs but I am not ok. I am trying to …
Several months ago I started a blog post entitled “When Your Bestie Says It’s Going to Hurt!” The story behind it was a phone call I received one afternoon at work from my best friend. It went like this: “instead of a walk at lunch, how about you get out early, I made us an appointment”. I replied, sure. That was my first mistake. …
My chiropractor is starting a brain injury clinic and asked me to share my story with others. She sent me the following questions: How would you describe yourself? Are you a ____? (ex: mom, retire, businesswoman, etc) How do you refer to yourself having a previous concussion? “Marilee Curran is a writer with a fighting spirit. One who tries to balance her life through …
The only guarantee in life is that eventually, you will die. Recently I was told that someone I love very much was upset that I have not gotten the vaccine. My heart was broken to confirm that people who have known me my whole life, are afraid to be near me. It’s deeper than that, for my children are staying away as well. I …
The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month I could think of no better place to honor our Veterans and the memory of my grandfather who passed away 48 years ago today. He was an Army Veteran of WWII. This morning I re-read the letters my great aunt had preserved and my cousin passed on to me, that he wrote while …
Don’t focus on how far you have to go, focus on how far you have come, and then keep going – unknown What is Occipital Neuralgia? That was my question to the Neurologist. I had never heard of this condition, nor did I realize in February just how much it was going to impact my life. The official definition given by the American Association …
Music is one of the most powerful forces in the universe for inspiring emotions. Driving home one night, the song “Now and Forever” by Carole King came on the radio. I was flooded with so many beautiful memories of my days working at Douglas St. Group home. On a cold, snowy day in March 1989, I accepted a call for an interview. I had …
David gave me another challenge. Pick the 1 photo that I took to summarize our 1 year together. This may seem like a simple task, but unfortunately, I can’t do it. We have had so many adventures this past year, that I have captured, I just can’t pick one. He on the other hand probably has designed an entire portfolio. Therefore, I decided to …
Today I walked among them. Standing in rows and columns, spaced precisely apart. Straight at attention, in death, as they were in life. Twice a day for the past 7.5 years I have passed them. They silently peer out at me as I drive by. Surrounded by flowers and flags, as neatly spaced as they are. They are warmed by the heat of the …
All Gave Some, Some Gave All. You Are Not Forgotten. 70 years ago today a 19-year-old medic, named Clarence, went missing during the May Massacre in Kungwong So Korea. My mother had just turned 5 years old and was waiting for her uncle to come home to celebrate her birthday as he had promised. Instead, in Middlebury, Vt an empty casket lays in a …
What does Mom want for Mother’s Day? It’s Mother’s Day and the question comes up, what to get mom for Mother’s Day. The answer is so simple and often overlooked. I am your mom. I don’t want trinkets, cards or flowers, although always appreciated. I don’t need to spend a day to myself in a spa, nor do I need you to make special …
Never underestimate a woman who loves a photographer, and was born in October. In actuality, the tee-shirt that appeared in the Facebook ad said photography, not a photographer. I saw the latter. They should have only added wine in their algorithm I would be fully convinced Facebook is listening. Yes, I am in love with a photographer who is teaching me to love photography. However, I am …
“You’ve got to be kidding”, You said to our mother. “You brought home a sister, I wanted a brother”! For months you would tell, Everyone you did see. This is my sister, Her name’s Timothy. Eventually, you warmed up, And the name it did change. However what you called me, Depended on the exchange. You taught me well dear brother. Unconditional love, Is often …
I did it! The first day of spring and today, after 5 months I packed my trusty bicycle into the car. A quick stop at Cumby’s to pump up my much-neglected tires, and went down to the Boscawen Town Park. I enjoy this stretch of the Northern Railtrail. It is a flat ride behind a farm where the fields are full of wheat in …
What is Cultural Appropriation? The term Cultural Appropriation has become more prevalent in the past decade, but what does it mean? Cultural Appropriation is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture by another culture or identity. So for example, certain styles of dancing, changing religious or spiritual beliefs, wearing certain hairstyles, or dressing in clothing from another country can lead to …