Pediatric Cancer Is Deeply Personal
Anchoring others to our world may lessen the burden and heighten awareness. “Don’t forget! There is a St. Jude’s fundraiser on March 8th!” the barbell instructor announced at the end of class as people meandered about, putting their equipment away. I looked around. Was it just me that heard that? No one else appeared affected. “It’s going […]
My Daughter’s Central Line Was Her Lifeline During Cancer Treatment
‘CareAline’ became my version of a lifeline. June wearing her CareAline wrap — photo by author Our daughter June laid still on an operating table awaiting the placement of a Broviac-Hickman dual lumen central line. Her eight month old body was riddled with cancer. Just two weeks earlier, I had found a tumor in her […]
I’d Do Anything To Be ‘Just’ Mom Again
Who knew a trip to get my beach pass would be so intricately tied to my grief? One of the perks to living in our Maine town is the measly twenty dollar, unlimited access, beach pass offered which gives rights to three different white sandy beaches. It’s usually spring when the kids and I drive […]
The Quake
The most terrifying part of the most terrifying part was not knowing. Nothing beyond the most terrifying part, but an imaginary wall. Could have been concrete. Could have been brick. Angrier than concrete. More malleable than brick. It was charged with revolt, out for revenge, surged in disbelief. The wall that came after the most […]
My Daughter Shines Her Light Into My Life With Number 22
This is how we keep June alive, every day. Our daughter, June, was born on September 22, 2020. Prior to that day, I had attended church only a handful of times. I rarely prayed. I had no firm religious or spiritual beliefs. I questioned my own spirituality and relationship with a Higher Power. I glommed […]
I Met Mel Robbins Cosmically in New York City
It reminded me why I continually choose life after my daughter died. Three years after my eighteen-month-old daughter June died of neuroblastoma, by divine intervention, my world came full circle when my path crossed with Mel Robbins, a New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and podcast host. June passed away on March 13, 2022 and […]
My Daughter Died and This Is How I Honor Her Every Day
Instead of accepting the death of my daughter, I keep her near. A brick dedicated to June on summer island — photo by author “Shhh,” my brain whispers. “She might be here. Keep looking. Find her.” I am on an island off the coast of Maine sitting in my sister’s living room on an oversized […]
Writing About My Daughter’s Death Heals Me
Increasing resilience and decreasing depression one word at a time. I began writing shortly after my daughter June passed away at eighteen months old from neuroblastoma. She nearly completed ten months of aggressive treatment for a solid tumor cancer that grew inward from her adrenal gland and remained hidden for the first eight months of […]
Where Are the Support Systems for Families Who Have Lost a Child?
The first Thanksgiving after losing Sarah, we set her place as always. The empty chair spoke volumes of love that words never…