The Broken Cup

I don’t know why he doesn’t feel permission to emote when big things happen, but I know it’s my job as his parent to guide him to a healthy, safe place where he can sort it all out… and shaming him for having emotions won’t get the job done. I realized I needed to give him some tools to help get him out of the pit he was in. I was grasping at a way to gain access to this kid who I sometimes struggle to understand.

Your People

“We didn’t go to see stuff. We went to see people. We went to see our people… and when you’re with your people there’s no pressure to perform.”

Pumpkin Pie for Breakfast

I was recently sitting in a meeting at work and as things were winding down everyone was asked about their plans for the upcoming holiday. Some were hosting family, others were going out of town, some were even making several stops in one day (like Jay and I used to do). Then it was my turn. I opened my mouth to reply, but my throat clenched shut and tears welled up in my eyes. I knew I was sad, but I didn’t realize how sad until that moment. Three years ago I said goodbye to holidays with my in-laws and pumpkin pie for breakfast. This year, I say goodbye to a Boston accent, hilarious stories told from across the pond, and the smell of my mom’s famous sourdough rolls. Every few years our Thanksgiving table gets smaller and smaller. I didn’t realize how much I was still grieving the loss of these traditions until I was sitting in a meeting trying to choke back tears.

Elise CorinneNovember 19, 2018Give Thanks, Thanksgiving, Surviving the Holidays, Surviving Thanksgiving, single and parenting, single, singleness, single parent, christian single mom, single mom, Singleness, single dad, Christian single parent, godly single mom, Single, Grieving, Grieving well, Grieving loss, grieving, grieve, family dynamics, Broken family, unhealthy family dynamics, dealing with difficult family, Divorce, divorce stories, divorce blog, kids of divorce, Pumpkin pie, Pumpkin pie for breakfast, Pumpkin, Let them eat cake, ex-in-laws, ex-husband, ex husband, Thanksgiving traditions, Thanksgiving Tradition, Traditions, Holiday traditions, saying goodbye, starling of the day, darling starling, starling, Starling, Sta, starling story, starling stories, Starling Stories, my darling starling, Thanksgiving table, non-traditional traditions, divorce, christian divorce, Christian divorce, life after divorce, healing, healing in process, healthy communication, healthy emotions

Love Does Not Draw Lines

Because of our unhealthy family culture it is assumed any major disagreement will result in a line being drawn through your name. My fight reflex is wee bit over-exercised and, recently, that scrappy ol’ broad came out ready to swing during an intense conversation with my mom. I held her back as best I could. (My inner Bon Qui Qui… not my mom.) But, despite my efforts, I let my emotions win and my words were cutting.

Elise CorinneNovember 15, 2018Love doesn’t draw lines, drawing lines, cutting someone off, written out of the will, you’re dead to me, family dynamics, conflict, dealing with hurt, dealing with pain, dealing with difficult family, destructive speech, restraint, healthy restraint, unhealthy restraint, self-examination, consequences, healing, heartstrings, healthy emotions, starling stories, starling, Starling Stories, starling story, starling of the day, my darling starling, Mother daughter, mother/daughter, Mother daughter relationships, relationships, it’s all relative, healing in process, Wisdom, single mom, singleness, single, Singleness, godly single mom, godly perspective, what does God say about divorce, Broken family, argument, fight, the fight, spiritual fight, unhealthy family dynamics, Healthy ocmmunication, healthy communication, communication, communication skills, Bon Qui Qui

The Sourest of Lemons

I never thought I'd be standing in my house — holding fruit from my ex-husband's girlfriend — wondering if I should freeze it and fast-pitch it through the window of Jay's car or make some bomb lemonade from it. I had a strong urge to do one of those two activities and I can honestly say I wasn’t in the mood for lemonade.

Elise CorinneOctober 15, 2018This Is Us, starling, starling stories, starling of the day, story time, Starling Stories, starling story, lemons, lemonade, lavender, lavender lemonade, sparkling lemonade, sparkling lavender lemonade, bitter, bitterness, fast pitch, consequences, blog, betrayed, Blog, baggage, betrayal, web journal, cheated, cheating, christian divorce, christian, Christian divorce, Christian, christian single mom, Christian single parent, cheating husband, my spouse cheated, my husband cheated, my husband cheated now what, my darling starling, darling starling, my husband left, remind my soul, divorce, divorce stories, adultery, godly single mom, godly perspective, what does God say about divorce, she left, he left, healing, healthy emotions, healing in process, emotional pain, emotional baggage, emotions, emotional scars, emotional healing, memories, kids of divorce, girlfriend, when your ex gets a girlfriend, the sourest of lemons, when life hands you lemons, when life gives you lemons, Dr. K

Sparkling Lavender Lemonade

You’re gonna love this lemonade. There’s even a Keto-friendly option!

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The Fight

"It was time to put on the boxing gloves, but not for him. I had to fight for me. This wasn't a selfish battle, though. I was going to war with my feelings. I had a fight ahead of me and it was a brutal one.”