I’ve been thinking about how much can change in a single year. In many ways, this story began in June. Last June, my mom passed away. In the days that followed, I had an unexpected encounter with a dragonfly—one that stopped me in my tracks and eventually inspired the name Dragonflies & Honey. If you’ve been here from the beginning, you may remember that story. Looking back now, I realize it marked the beginning of a season I couldn’t yet see. Around that same time, a dear friend lost her mother too. Standing At New Doorways This June looks very different. A niece and nephew are both graduating from sixth…
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What Grew From A Promise| Dragonflies & Honey
The wonderful thing about a new day is that it brings new light. What felt heavy yesterday doesn’t always feel as heavy today, and I’m grateful for that. After my mom passed, a dragonfly appeared at a time when I needed one. I can’t explain it, but it stayed with me. I spent my time working quietly behind the scenes on something deeply personal—something I had promised my mother I would do. In our last conversation, she told me to keep my promise. To focus on me. Then she thanked me for taking care of her. I knew what she was saying. So I got to work. Out of that…
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My Mom and Her Network
Today is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. And listen… when I was a kid, I thought my mother was rough. Not mean. Just tough, sometimes strict, and always in your business. The kind of woman that could roll her eyes so hard it felt like a personal attack. Those eyes had power. But let me be clear… YOU were not allowed to roll your eyes back at her. If you valued your life, you kept that little attitude to yourself and mumbled under your breath where she couldn’t hear it. Like many moms, I think she also had bionic ears. That was a mommy super power. And my…
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Holding On To The Laughter
Yesterday, I was frustrated with someone—really frustrated. Today, I learned they had passed away. Hearing about their passing, floored me. My heart ached for the family, their friends and myself. Somewhere between the hurt, I realized how much being human is about holding on to the laughter, even when the days don’t unfold the way we expect. That same person tested my patience, but they also made me laugh more than anyone else. They always wanted to know they stood on my good side. That mattered to them. Reading a room wasn’t their strength—not because they didn’t care, but because they focused only on smiles and appreciation. They saw sunshine…
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Lessons in Living, from Dragonflies and My Mom
This is the first in a quiet series of reflections I’ll be sharing throughout the year — things I’m learning as I continue living, healing, and finding light where I can. Lesson One: Life Continues After Loss As this year comes to a close, I’ve been thinking a lot about something my dad asked of me a long time ago. When he passed in 2002, he made me promise him one thing — that I would live. At the time, I didn’t really understand what he meant. Back then, living felt like doing what needed to be done — getting up, going to work, being responsible, showing up for everyone…
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Christmas Is Over (And Mom Would’ve Approved)
This was our first Christmas without my mom — and Christmas is officially over. Letting the First Christmas Without My Mom Be What It Was This was our first Christmas without my mom, and it was the holiday we worried about the most. She gained her wings in June, and somehow it feels like she planned this Christmas in a way she knew we could manage. Still, Christmas showed up anyway. The day felt warm and easy. Laughter came naturally, without forcing itself, and the food followed — plentiful, comforting, and shared without rushing. The gifts felt thoughtful, and joy found its way in right when we needed it. Then,…
