Please welcome Jeremy Shaffer to #BeREALationships. “What are we gonna do?” she said, choking back some of the flood of tears streaking her face with worry. I was grinning from ear to ear. Did we plan this? No we did not. Were we careful when we made love? Most of the time, and she was…
Please welcome Cee Streetlights to #BeREALationships. I had been in labor since May when my water finally broke in July. Avoiding a premature birth had been our primary goal since my first ultrasound at seven weeks when I watched my baby – smaller than the size of a jelly bean – bouncing around the…
I used to think that all my problems stemmed from my childhood. I blamed bullies, bitches, and boys for my mood swings. They were such inconsiderate jerks. I used to think all of the men I dated were emotionally stunted. Why else would they be ignorant enough to hurt my feelings, take me for…
Many years ago I bought my 7 year old daughter an Oragami kit. After dinner one night she decided to open it. She made me a cup and a paper airplane. I remember thinking to myself how fun it looked and asked her to hand me the Oragami book so I could find something amazing to make.…
Please welcome Ashley Fuchs to #BeReal. Be Real, No Buts About It by Ashley Fuchs, The Malleable Mom “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald “She’s beautiful, but she’s also incredibly…
Please welcome Alisa Schindler to #BeReal. It’s taken decades for me to really figure out what it means to be real, not because I was trying not to be, but because I didn’t know how. I spent a long time insecure and concerned with others’ perception of me. I spent a long time uncomfortable with…
I am perceived and divided. You see me as bound by history. A set of experiences chaining me to the railway. Boundaries marked. Respect tried and failure too often won. Knots tied but carefully unraveled. I am but your servant. Your true beloved, And so much more as my duty has been sworn. Because of…
I started writing a Facebook post this morning that turned into a long dialog with myself. I decided to leave it there and finish it here. Why? Because it feels important somehow. Maybe not important in a way that will change or shape lives. But it feels like I might want to visit these thoughts…
Please welcome my #BeReal guest today, Martin Baker. A few weeks ago I was sitting at my favourite table—corner table, right at the back—in my favourite coffee bar and got into conversation with a fellow customer about writing and literature. I learned two interesting things about the city I’ve lived in almost thirty years.…
The merry-go-round keeps spinning. I used to think life was a roller coaster with all its ups and downs but when I look back I see it’s really more of a merry-go-round that spins at different speeds. Merry-go-rounds are always more enjoyable when you have someone to ride them with. And then you need someone…
HASTYWORDS 