"Because this business of becoming conscious, of being a writer, is ultimately about asking yourself, How alive am I willing to be?" ~ Anne Lamott I wrote a piece last week that got chewed to bits on the interwebs. Chewed. To. Bits. I mean, not by everyone. Probably not by you. But enough people pecked […]
[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.19.7"] You are wonderful, this sea of you who read my words. Peter and I have been so overwhelmed by the outpouring of your hearts in response to sharing his story on Monday. You have written to tell us about your stories, your families, your celebrations, and your victories over […]
I’m going along, minding my own business, creating this new and beautiful life just the way I want it to be, and suddenly it’s December. There we are, singing Christmas songs in the car, and suddenly I need to change the station. There are holiday scents in the air, some variety of cinnamon, and suddenly […]
We were riding in the car and I decided to maximize our time by holding a little family meeting to map out the week while everybody is here and captive. I whip out my Bullet Journal and talk through the items on the calendar. Meetings, lessons, and all the color-coded greatness. “Tuck, don’t forget that […]
"Guys, I have a super important invitation for you. I have to tell you, it's not something most children get to do, and especially not boys. But I think you're equal to the challenge." They think about this, pretending like I haven't just laid down the most inviting gauntlet by challenging them to something "most […]
Dear Very Handsome Man, "Whatchya workin' on?" is really a pretty great opener to a conversation with a writer. Engaged, listening - all the things writers appreciate. That was a very, very good start. And I do love the irony of you asking me to join you for a cup of coffee, since we were in […]
Look at this greatness right here. My name is Tricia, and I am a Starbucks barista. It was really kind of the next logical step. I'm there all the time anyway, so let's just make this official, right? The boys are thrilled that I'll learn how to make frappuccinos, and they're impressed that I'm finally […]
And so, the pins are out of Tucker’s foot. We can officially say he is tougher than nails. Because, oh my goodness, that was no small undertaking. They had told us it wouldn’t hurt to take out the pins. Bones don’t have nerve endings, so when you break a bone, it’s not the actual bone […]
The subject of this blog post asked that I take it down based on the personal backlash he has received. I have chosen to edit the post accordingly, since he had no idea what he was stepping into. What a weird and terrible day for my heart. Many of you watched it unfold on the interwebs. Throngs […]
I’m not particularly qualified by profession or education to offer counseling or therapy, wisdom or advice. I don’t have a doctorate or a master’s degree, I’m not a theologian or philosopher, and I can’t talk about the economy or politics or the universe. I will say, though, it is widely known in my small circle […]
A writer’s conference is a the craziest mixed bag of personalities. It’s like a store-bought bag of mixed Jelly Belly candies, but with a whole lot of heart. There are left-brained planners who plot out their days and their books and their careers. They know where they are in the process and what to do next. […]
I feel like I can call Jon Acuff my friend because it's a liberty I need to take, since one of my worst professional moments happened when he and I were eating lunch in the green room of a conference where we were each speaking. I'm telling you, I was an idiot. We were backstage […]
Books are like babies. Hard to wait for, lots of work, and you can only hope it's not ugly. All the growing, planning, waiting. All the long hours and late nights. All the early excitement, then the "what were we thinking?" and then the fear that everyone else knows what they're doing and you're actually […]
"Poppa, if a bear came after us, would you let him eat us? Or would you fight him?" "I would definitely fight that bear. I would risk my own life before I would let a bear take you." "Okay, thank you, Poppa." Pause. "I mean, Poppa, I'm not saying that you're big. I'm […]
She stood so close to me with her hand on my arm. Her voice is so gentle and her words so intentional in her songs and now in her conversation. Sara Groves and I had shared a stage at a women's event: she sang and led worship, and I told my stories and shared what I'm […]
"That looks like a good stretch," he said as he walked by my table. He made vicarious stretching sounds while I extended my arms and reached far above my head. I was working in 'my McDonalds office.' I was on my second diet Coke, staring down the last hours of the final weeks of a […]
It’s not that I mean to disagree. It’s just that I disagree. Tricia, I'm so sorry you lost your husband, but you know he's with you, right? He's with you. Everyday. He's in the eyes and the hearts of your children. He's in the sun that shines on your face in the morning. He's in […]
"So, tell me your story?" We've got to somehow address the children we've each mentioned, and how they came to be though we are single parents. I've been witty and funny, showing him I'm not a walking Eeyore. We've got to start somewhere, and we've pretty well established the weather in Colorado. "Divorced. Three […]
So, remember when I was all lit about about the book When We Were on Fire? And I invited all of you to read it and join me for a giant book club discussion over lattes and scones at the world's biggest Starbucks which might just be in my imagination and an ethereal dream? I'm […]
"Good morning, Tricia! And how are you today?" I have a half-second lead time to decide: to be authentic or to give a safe answer. "You know what?" I pause for a moment. For so many reasons. "I'm very sad today." "Sad?! Well, that's because the sun isn't shining today. I'm sure that's why." Actually, […]
