I spot C: masked with freshly dyed lavender-pink hair framing their face. Closing the distance, C hands me a Christmas gift bag. Gingerly, I part the green tissue paper to reveal a pair of socks. On the socks, a person stands outside a tent underneath the words: inside sucks. Now, the indoors do not stink.Continue reading “Life in Winter (1 of 3)”
Author Archives: joyofthejourney
My 35th Birthday
As I enter into the cusp of middle age this year (just turned 35), I don’t want to waste the minutes, hours, days of my life anymore. Things still feel impossible to me, like tackling unending weeds in every corner of my yard, sorting through the piles of stuff accumulated over the years, ending systemicContinue reading “My 35th Birthday”
Tree Magic
On December 4, I stumble upon winter flowers. Near the entrance of Arnold Arboretum, white blossoms with pinkish hue hum with honeybees. The Fuji cherry tree buds out of season. The arboretum bursts with beauty. I slip into its wild trees and hidden playgrounds. Wild Yews Wandering off the path, I duck into the worldContinue reading “Tree Magic”
The Password Made Flesh
What word do I use to crack the screen and hold your hand? What’s the turn of phrase that will transport me to your tears? Which response – from the texting dropdown menu – offers a tissue? What’s the Zoom password for your laugh? You know, the one where your eyes crinkle as you doubleContinue reading “The Password Made Flesh”
An Election Day Prayer
Dear God, I don’t why sadness wraps itself like a blanket around my chilly heart. As temperatures dropped last night, and Matt stole the covers, I awoke to a coldness that I just could not shake. With icy fingers, I watched a video by Valerie Kaur, about loving ourselves, others, and our opponents. It movedContinue reading “An Election Day Prayer”
New Friends
Every third of July, my family reunites on the shores of Conesus Lake. This year I couldn’t go.This year I had to make new friends. And so, Matt and I plunged into the woods for three days, carrying our home on our back. Walking on the wet, earthy floor,we dodged raindrops and also, salamanders: minusculeContinue reading “New Friends”
The Weather Man
A month ago, my partner Matt and I trekked by a babbling brook on the Mattabassett Trail. Fascinated the swirls of the water, I naturally asked him the definition of an eddy. From there, the conversation flowed into the difference between a cool eddy, a warm eddy, a whirlpool and a loop current. Inspired, IContinue reading “The Weather Man”
Proverbs of Friendship
Friendship is like a fortune that can never fully be spent. Friendship is like an hour in the sunshine.The warmth outside us becomes the warmth within us. Friendship is anticipated laughter.And it is remembered kindness. Aging friendship is like a tree you get to see grow tall and full, as it stretches its arms to the sky and theContinue reading “Proverbs of Friendship”
Blues Cruise 50K Race Report
This year has been a challenging one as I have walked with dear ones through valleys of grief, illness, and struggle. Sometimes, in the face of so much hardship the world can seem bleak indeed. What does one do? As for me, I decided to run an ultra-marathon of a 50k distance. It’s a strikingContinue reading “Blues Cruise 50K Race Report”
Improv Comedy: Bold Love
“To be bold is to love. To love is to be bold.” I have been thinking lately of why improv terrifies me: it requires me to be willing to fail spectacularly. I start with nothing. I wonder: What if I have no ideas? What if I freeze? What if everyone sees me fail? It isContinue reading “Improv Comedy: Bold Love”
Joy of the Journey 