“Me llamo Kathryn. Mi esposo se llama Scott.” This prompted a stream of high speed Spanish from the neighbour who had let us into the building. Her name was Maria, but I had no idea what else she was saying. I wish I’d started with “No hablo Español,” instead of practicing my rudimentary language skills! … Continue reading Home Away from Home: an Exchange in Spain
I go back to bed again, so tired, trying to sleep, hoping to dream of my son, or at least make the day pass faster. Firsts are never easy. First birthdays, his and mine, first Christmas, now first Mother’s Day. They tell you that, and you think you understand, but you don’t, until you live … Continue reading Mother’s Days
It was a lovely graduation— not the official university event, but the student organized party where they received their silver forestry rings. It was a beautiful group of young people. (My son, at 27, had been considered a mature student.) They shone with the enthusiasm of having accomplished this, knowing they were moving on to … Continue reading Graduation and Moving On
It seems so innocuous, the chapstick sitting on my nightstand, between the water glass and the book I’m reading. It’s not. I found it in the pocket of his work pants, when I was laundering the clothes that someone had shoved into his suitcase, cleaning out his room after he died. Every day, when I … Continue reading Living with the Memories
“Maybe it will clear up by the time we finish coffee,” I suggested to Scott. It wasn’t looking good— from the lodge we could barely see the outline of the nearest lift. We’d skied in the fog for an hour and a half, but it had gotten to the point where we were really only … Continue reading A Ski trip without the Skiing!
“Do you want the scenic route or the fast route?” It was my first time flying into Las Vegas, a last minute get-away to see a show, and I hadn’t done my homework. “The fast route,” I told the taxi driver. Turns out the ‘fast” referred to speed and was on the highway. I spotted … Continue reading Travel Tips
Walking on the beach, I looked like any other tourist, minus the sunburn. I’ve taken an inordinate amount of pride in calling myself a traveller, rather than a tourist, these last 5 years. Yes, I have taken tours, but they tended to be more unusual ones, to the Arctic, the Middle East, the Galapagos. I … Continue reading Just a Tourist in Hawaii
“Are those real Gucci sandals?” I was looking down at my son’s feet. We were in Hawaii, because the first Christmas not in our family home was too hard for my children. “Who’d be crazy enough to spend that kind of money on a pair of slides?” Carson replied. It was only years later, sorting … Continue reading If I Die Young
“Happy holidays!” My chiropractor says, and then catches herself. “I mean, well, ah…” She trails off. I’ve known her for 20 years, and she knows me, and my family. I’m falling apart. I don’t mean emotionally, although that is true, and understandable considering circumstances. Yesterday I decorated the tree. I had cried for two days … Continue reading Merry Christmas— maybe
“It’s wonderful to see you smiling again,” Scott tells me, on the second day of our trip to Hawaii. At the top of Diamond Head Yet at night, I dream of loss. A small child is missing, and I search for them. Someone (else) I love has died. I am back in the family home, … Continue reading Songs in my Head, Part 2
Brave Travels 