Whenever I see a trampoline, I am transported back to my grandparents’ backyard. I used to brag about my grandparents having an official Olympic-standard trampoline that allowed for extreme jumping, way higher than I would ever be tempted to try or be allowed to. I can picture me and my cousins sitting in a line along the blue padded edge waiting for our turn to flip and somersault. I can feel my ...

Joy when I saw her walking down the aisle that autumn day in October. Utter happiness when we welcomed our son and then our girl two years after that. Jealousy over a male coworker of hers. Gratitude when we realized we love each other enough to get through anything. Bittersweet when our kids went off to college one by one. Contented with our new way of live. Terrified by her prognosis. Distraught...

Swaying yellow daffodils

abound the rolling hills.

They wave their delicate petals;

the bright cheer in all the meadows.

Amid the pollinating bees,

of course there are clumps of daisies.

White to match the puffy clouds above,

they’re here to share their love.

Pops of color here and there,

purple lavender gives its share.

Oh so lush,

with their magical touch.

Dandelion petals blowing in the win...

“Duck! Duck!”, my mind swirls back to when I was five years old sitting cross-legged in a circle with other squirming, jittering kids. This simple game gave me such anxiety, always hoping not to be the chosen one.

“Please don’t pick me; please don’t pick me.”

I would silently pray to myself while the surrounding children were practically bursting at the seams for their chance at a glorifying ch...

‘She has lived a full life’, anyone around her would say. Just shy of 73 years old, she has two gracious children and three doting grandchildren, with a fourth on the way. Though lonely at times after the unexpected death of her husband six years ago, she holds steadfastly to her cherished momentos and fond memories of days well spent. Long-gone now, her parents provided her with a brimming suppor...