I wrote a couple of months ago about feeling broken at Christmas. My words proved truer than I had anticipated. My husband found me Christmas morning, after our breakfast of green frosted cinnamon rolls sprinkled with red sugar, after our gifts, after checking Santa’s cookie plate and his milk bottle, after seeing how the reindeer … Continue reading Crying Christmas
Tag: emotional health
I make banana bread because I can’t sleep.
Sleep is again not mine to have. Falling asleep is usually not difficult, but staying asleep is. When my children wake up to banana bread, it’s usually because I woke up at 3 or 4 am. If I wasn’t awake with several hours to go before anyone else wakes up, dog included, my kids wouldn’t … Continue reading I make banana bread because I can’t sleep.
Omicron sounds like a decepticon.
My kids have been vaccinated now for several weeks and the initial excitement they felt is waning, especially for my youngest. Understandably, he was hoping that his vaccination would help and that he might not have to wear his mask as often, specifically around his closest friends. Viruses get stronger with each new person they … Continue reading Omicron sounds like a decepticon.
Hark!
There are few things I truly love about Christmas, but I love lights. After another bad dream, instead of the typical darkness in the early hours of the morning, I was greeted by the glow of our tree, just put up last night. Since trying to become more aware of what things feel genuinely good … Continue reading Hark!
The longest night, a week from tomorrow.
Romans 8:26 The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans. I attended my first “blue Christmas” service a couple of years back. I wasn’t a member at our church yet, and I didn’t know what this special … Continue reading The longest night, a week from tomorrow.
When it’s cold, inside and out.
Last year, over three million people died in the United States. Given that more people have died of Covid-19 this year than last, I suspect our crude death rate will increase again. Needless to say, there are countless people grieving the loss of a loved one. A voice won’t ring out from across the hall. … Continue reading When it’s cold, inside and out.
Cafeteria trays.
Fish sticks, canned green beans, and macaroni and cheese. Typically, there are no leftovers when I make this meal. One of my kids has some fairly intense food selectivity, and this is mostly outside of his control. He and I have an agreement. I’ll try to always include at least two foods he is positive … Continue reading Cafeteria trays.
THINK before you scold a mom.
A lot of my baby food goes to a particular someone who loves to babble. She talks all the time, and if her mom gave her daughter undivided attention every time a random string of syllables erupted forth, nothing would get done in their life. To the random stranger in the store who had the … Continue reading THINK before you scold a mom.
Why I quit teaching, part 2.
Warning: This post does reference sexual, physical, and verbal abuse. Teaching is emotionally draining work. It is true that it is fulfilling work. I never doubted the worth of my career and what I was offering. It’s still exhausting and saps you of the mental energy necessary to have a life outside of teaching. Brains … Continue reading Why I quit teaching, part 2.
Why I quit teaching, part 1.
As a former teacher, it’s not unusual for people to ask me why I’m not still a teacher. This is a difficult question for me to answer, because there isn’t one lone reason, but several. Time, emotional health, and money all contributed to my decision to thank my principal for giving me the opportunity and … Continue reading Why I quit teaching, part 1.
Beka Tucker 