If your teenage son died in a freak accident, and you wanted another child, would you rather clone an identical twin of your dead son or try to have another child naturally? This week's question from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions ventures into territory that feels almost too sacred to explore—the devastating loss of … Continue reading Question of the Week #454
Grief
The Weight of Unfinished Dreams
Harold adjusted his reading glasses and stared at the boarding pass in his trembling hands. Gate B-7. Flight 847 to Bangkok. The letters blurred together as his eyes filled with tears he'd promised himself he wouldn't shed, not here in the bustling Denver airport surrounded by chattering families and business travelers who moved with the … Continue reading The Weight of Unfinished Dreams
Serious Topics with How I Met Your Mother
When most people think of How I Met Your Mother, they picture Barney's legendary catchphrases, Marshall and Lily's adorable relationship goals, and Ted's romantic misadventures across nine seasons of New York City hijinks. But beneath all the laughs, laser tag, and legen... wait-for-it... dary moments, the show tackled some of the most profound themes in … Continue reading Serious Topics with How I Met Your Mother
Chasing the Northern Lights
The vibrant green and purple lights danced across the night sky, shimmering and undulating in an ethereal glow. Mia gazed up in wonder from her cabin's porch, a steaming mug of tea cupped in her hands. She had traveled thousands of miles to the remote Alaskan wilderness, desperate to glimpse the aurora borealis at least … Continue reading Chasing the Northern Lights
The Carpenter’s Heart
The hammer struck true, driving the nail deep into the oak plank with a satisfying thunk. Sawdust swirled in the morning light that streamed through the workshop windows as Jed Wilson reached for another nail from his worn leather belt. At 44, his hands were strong and callused from decades spent crafting furniture that was … Continue reading The Carpenter’s Heart
Question of the Week #370
From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: Do you care much about having people mourn your death? Honestly, when I'm gone I'm gone. Once I kick the bucket and head off to the great beyond, it's not like I'll be floating around as a ghost watching my own funeral (as cool as that would be). So … Continue reading Question of the Week #370
Remembering Mamaw
Jane Metts - Christmas 2022 As I sit down to write this tribute, my heart is heavy with sorrow yet filled with warm memories of my dear grandmother, who we lovingly called Mamaw. She left us this morning at the age of 91 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Mamaw was not just a … Continue reading Remembering Mamaw
All the Emotion
Maybe it's because I had a rough day today. Maybe it's because Dad's birthday is this Friday and he would've been 70 this year. Maybe it's because Father's Day is this Sunday and I haven't been able to wish my father a happy Father's Day for the last 16 years. Maybe it's because I just … Continue reading All the Emotion
Taylor – The Next Morning
Continued from last week... Taylor awoke to the sight of sunlight streaming through the living room curtains. She could barely open her eyes. They hurt; dry and burning from the overproduction of tears as she drifted off to sleep the previous night. She didn’t feel like moving. She was curled into a ball under a … Continue reading Taylor – The Next Morning
Taylor
The funeral was over. Most of the people who had gathered afterward had already left. This allowed Taylor Steele to finally get busy cleaning the house. She was done talking to people. She did not want to hear anymore platitudes from well-meaning people expressing condolences. Taylor really did appreciate those people and their thoughts and … Continue reading Taylor
The Confusing Middle 