Don’t ask more than they can give — Parenting is a tough job, and it seems to get tougher as the years pass. There are new challenges with each generation, joining ones that have been around for years. But the bare bones of parenting boils down to loving your kid. Being willing to put their needs ahead of…

Plus, a wee challenge for you lovely folks — Hello, lovely What Is Love to You readers! I am a day late with getting my bi-weekly assignment out, but I’m hoping all of you fabulous Medium posse will forgive me. I also feel the need to beg forgiveness from the other half of our M&M editing duo, Marilyn Glover…

And all things nice — My youngest kiddo has been through a lot over the last few years. There have been huge changes in the household size, some moving in and some moving out. Death. Even worse, suicide loss. Trying to make sense of suicide when she doesn’t even know how to make sense of…

Because there aren’t any. — As you put distance between your current self and a traumatic experience, things shift. Some days, it feels like things are getting better. In some ways, it feels like it’s worse instead. Grief, especially grief over the loss of a loved one through a major trauma — such as murder…

Accurate statement, for sure — Today, I watched a pretty awesome young man graduate from elementary school. He will leave childhood behind and branch into the sea of horror that is hormone-fueled middle school next year. This kid is the youngest son of one of my best friends. Although, I would count them as family…

Response to Subhi Najar’s prompt — How did you hear about Medium? If there is an interesting story behind it, please share it. I don’t think it qualifies as an interesting story, but I heard about Medium in random internet searches looking into the best ways to start a blog. I have been dabbling with the…

Don’t leave me! — Precious ones, where did you go? Take a moment to pour out your woes I beg you to tell little ole me About your ever-so-brief writing spree I know Medium’s a bummer from time to time And the lack of reads could be labeled a crime You spend hours on your…

Think about it — It astounds me how many women I have known, or even heard of, who have the viewpoint that if a married man cheats, the woman who cheated with him is the most horrible person who ever lived. She ruined their marriage. She’s a homewrecker. Tar and feather her. Hang her…

A tale of woe in poetry form — “Shake it off,” I say down low A lecture for my own ears “Life could be worse, you know,” I whisper, fighting off my tears “Mom! Not again!” my baby wailed. While I insist, “It happens to us all. It’s no sign that you have failed.” As I stumble down the hall…