A letter to my mother: This is what I've endured.

A letter to my mother: This is what I've endured.

My mother and I have been estranged for more than five years. While I was at my lowest point -- wheelchair bound, in excruciating pain, and suffering immensely -- she was critical and skeptical of my pain. That became intolerable, and my recovery ultimately required that I sever ties with her and work on rebuilding my emotional health and my strength.  She's missed so much these past several years.

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It's OK to be sad sometimes: my experience with loss

It's OK to be sad sometimes: my experience with loss

I spent months crying into Gracie’s fur as I shook and sobbed on the sofa.  I flew weekly for medical treatments out-of-state, and I returned home to clutch Gracie for hours as I recharged my batteries.  I absorbed her unconditional love for me in times of excruciating turmoil surrounding my health, our wedding, law school, financial instability, and familial discord. 

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