Sneak Attack
My old friend Grief pays me a visit, and I buy it ice cream
Dear Friends,
Grief is often compared to bodies of water. An ocean tide that ebbs and flows, a wave that knocks you off your feet, or a humming river running through every moment of your day.
This week, my grief was more like a leak in the roof. I didn’t notice it at first, just a drip of listlessness, a drop of melancholy. It wasn’t until the trickles of sadness had pooled around me that I realized what it was: I was wading in grief.
My dad’s death anniversary was approaching, and my body knew before my brain did.
Instead of trying to patch up the leak, I just let it pour down over me. Then I sat in it, sopping wet with longing.
One morning, I rested on Dad’s favorite seat on the porch. Another day, I lingered in bed for what felt like forever. I stared off into the distance. I treated myself to ice cream for lunch. I called my mom. I looked through old photos of Dad, and I rediscovered a video of him laughing so hard he’s wheezing.
Then I started laughing, too.
And I realized the puddle had dried up.
I know grief will strike again, because that’s what grief* does. And I know that I’ll stumble my way through it—with tears and laughter and ice cream—because that’s what I do.
xo Christine
*What is grief, if not love persevering?
Good Things
Watching our favorite team mascot, J, bring cheer to a crowd
DIY Connections puzzles and how my kids are so good at making ones that stump me
The Diplomat is back, and Keri Russell is a revelation
Swapping out the buttons on my cardigan makes it feel brand new
Nacho Night
A bowl of Cuties as both decoration and nutrition
I still can’t believe I get paid to draw
Babies on Zoom
My friend Debi’s dance moves
Storytellers honing their craft
Two dates in one week with my favorite person
Candy bowls filled with the classics
Good Quote
Good Deed of the Day
Give someone your full attention. Active listening, eye contact, the whole shebang.







I was so taken again by my little student's wisdom that I almost forgot how much I enjoyed your ice cream illustration at the beginning of this post. Neither, I know, were the meat of this entry, but the loss was sandwiched beautifully. Thank you for this.
So many hearty & heart-full YES’s, Christine.
Your every word on grief including the body knowing before the brain.
New season of The Diplomat with Keri Russell!
That classic 🍓candy! Oh how this puts me in the presence of my beloved maternal grandmother.
Sending you the softest & warmest wishes …