The Empty Chair

Dedicated to the grieving families of Seth Poling and Sandra W. Marlowe. May peace be with you. Does anyone ever sit in the place the missing loved ones had at the table? No. It will never just be a chair again. I had a place, you had a place, but that chair that was your … Continue reading The Empty Chair

My California Kitchen

Photo by Ella Olsson on Pexels.com This piece is about the last summer I could eat before losing the ability to chew and going on a feeding tube. Summer in Amber We held that whole summerIn our strawberry sticky hands,Trapped it in our tiny kitchenWhere sunbeams tangled with our legsAround too much furniture,Each piece an … Continue reading My California Kitchen

Every Breath You Take

"Every breath you take just proves how blessed you really are." - John Landry "This is Rachel Doboga's ventilator just after starting the nebulizer, and her oxygen is dropping to 95, now 93," Evan says, holding his phone up to film my ventilator readings. He stops filming and turns off the nebulizer. "My head is … Continue reading Every Breath You Take

Eight Years In…

Photo by Hakan Erenler on Pexels.com Eight years ago on June 8th, I was diagnosed with ALS. At diagnosis, I was given 2 - 5 years to live. We all are. I was just 28 years old. After my diagnosis, I immediately said goodbye because that's what I was told to do. I was told … Continue reading Eight Years In…

Spring Born

  Warmth tempts my berry tipped toes to the opening of my den. I crouch by new grass blades sharp with the bitter scent of promise.   I am spring born.   What was my life before this long darkness? Before this crescent edge of sun? Do the trees stand exactly as they used to, … Continue reading Spring Born

The Sun’ll Come Out April 19th

3 I haven't written a lot about the problem that has rendered me bedbound for quite a few months now. You may think you understand the severity of the situation. However, what you know is the tip of an iceberg that you soon discover is actually the edge of a glacier that is moving inevitably … Continue reading The Sun’ll Come Out April 19th

Draw on the Magic of New Years to Improve Your Health (Even if You Have ALS)

2 3 I have never really been one to get excited about New Years. Early on, my mom instilled in me a lasting fear of the hordes of drunk drivers careening about all night. I am now 30 years old, and to this day, I have never been to a New Years Eve party I … Continue reading Draw on the Magic of New Years to Improve Your Health (Even if You Have ALS)

Demon in My View

Photo by Bob Clark on Pexels.com "I have not been as others were - I have not seen as others saw... When the rest of Heaven was blue of a demon in my view." Edgar Allan Poe, "Alone" I'm so sick of ALS. It is hitting me once again that this is my life, and … Continue reading Demon in My View