We interrupt this blog to bring you a personal (and most likely) unnecessary quick confession.

I had originally started this blog in January of 2013, shortly after my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The intent: a space to let my inner child (okay – and my outer one, too) howl and rail at the fates. I naïvely believed that I would journal my way through the experience of losing my dearest parent.  Having lost my father 14 years or so prior, I thought, “I know what’s coming. I can cope. I just need to find outlets for my thoughts. When faced with death, it’s a good time to get creative.” How little I did know…

Today, it’s July 2016. Three-and-a-half years have gone by. During that time, I have cherished my mother, nursed her, celebrated her, and mourned her.  Her battle with cancer lasted 10 months. She died, October 21, 2013, at our home surrounded by her cats and an incredible amount of love.  I never did write about what was going on during that terrible\wonderful year. Mainly, I lived in the moment and responded as needed, when needed.  Since her death, I have grieved and I have learned.

So much of who I am now and what I have to say was born then, in that ten-month span. It’s amazing what a woman in her mid-forties can discover when she’s not paying attention. I couldn’t possible continue with my writing if I didn’t acknowledge its source.  Thank you for listening.

We now return to our regularly scheduled whimsy. Here are those magnificent cat companions: Lexie, Mog, and Myster.