An Ordinary Moment, a Trauma Response My lived experience offered no assurance that I—or anything—would be okay. At a subconscious level, I suspected I might have less trouble if I could just get better at saying no and ouch, because
I’m learning to recognize a pattern. I name something specific: a word that was said, a boundary crossed, a moment that caused distress.The response shifts quickly—to my tone, my sensitivity, my way of being, my capacity to perceive. What starts
Over the years, my children’s father, my mother, and my sister communicated and met without me. This alliance was formed in the shadows. There was no pre‑existing relationship between my mother or sister and the man I divorced. These gatherings
Loving the Hologram: A Season of Letting Go This season—honestly, my entire life—has been one of loss and unraveling. And I feel self‑conscious about that, because in a world low on emotional intelligence, it’s easy for people to see a
Friend: So you’re not in contact with your daughter anymore? Family Member: No, she’s just too much. Always some issue with her. Always making everything harder than it has to be. Friend: Wow. What happened exactly? Did she hurt someone?