After multiple attempts, I’ve finally built up the strength to give my recap—to look back at 2024 and reflect on its highs and lows. Yet nothing feels complete. I started this piece two weeks ago, and nearly every day since, I’ve revisited it—writing, recapping, or at least trying to. When I look back on my …
I remember when I was a young girl and folks would ask, what’s your favorite color? I always replied purple. Not because I thought it was the prettiest color, or the color that I gravitated toward most but in fact because it was different. I liked pink but so did every other girl and when …
My Momma said he would’ve made waffles. Maybe even pancakes. For me, he would have made French toast. So today, I made French toast and I’ll probably always make French toast on his day. It was his recipe. It’s simple and elegant like all of his bakes. The classics. The ones you gotta know how …
I saw the messages. The notifications scrolled by while I was working, in meetings, or just simply exhausted. It’s a necessary conversation for all newcomers. It starts with the first unread text. Then the guilt of replying days later when I’m present and in the headspace to engage. Most times my watch vibrates, I scan …
I know faith without works is dead. I also know works look different each day. The day alters the works. On easier days, works is a full on 9-5 jam-packed into a 6-8. On challenging days, works is opening the curtains to put some light in this house. Works are the building blocks. Works is …
There has always been a non-living family member in my home. It was the rug. We loved it. We hated it. We needed it. Our Rug is shaggy and heavy and dark. It never had a name but had already taken shape when I came around. It was square at one point. Rugged and familiar. …
Dear SSSG, Greetings and Salutations! As we meet again I take a second to note our progression. As I hear the stories and see the evolution I recognize the growth and movement. We are truly in different stages similar to our beloved butterfly. Within SSSG we have plenty of caterpillars, numerous cocoons, and beautifully matured …
A Love Letter to My Strong Sis: I See You. Being a member of the Strong Sis Support Group (SSSG) for well over a decade, I take a moment to reiterate to all active members, unofficial members, and our Junior Cadets: I see you. And no, not in the “let’s talk about our problems” and …
Hands. Such a strange thing to always steal my attention, but it never fails. Where some look through the eyes to see the soul, I think that hands tell the truest story of someone’s life. You can say you played sports without uttering your past conditioning ritual. You can say you are a chef by …
As a Floridian, I know storms. Bring the Florida rain, the hurricanes, and even the tornadoes. I grew up on those—from elementary school drills to highlighted plans as reminders of what to do when things start getting uncertain. And even in my 30s I see a storm and run to Walmart to stock up. I …