Trauma – BLEW WRITING LLC

My Pain Has a Name: Adult Orphan Syndrome

GRIEF AND HEALINGGiving My Painful Emotions a Name Brought a Sense of ReliefNo Roots, Just Wings — Painting and Image by AuthorFor a decade, I thought losing my father suddenly at 19 was the most challenging trauma I would face. It took work and dedication, but my mother, sister, and I mourned, healed, and continued living.That was before my mom’sContinueContinue reading “My Pain Has a Name: Adult Orphan Syndrome”

Painting Beautiful Brains

PROCESSING PAIN THROUGH CREATIVITYBright, colorful brains helped erase the haunting, grey MRI imagesCollage of Brain Paintings — Paintings and Photos by the Author.Two years ago, a fall led to the discovery of my mom’s brain tumor, stage-4 GBM. I was already experienced reading MRIs after losing my dad in 2010 to a brain injury sustained in a motorcycle accident.IContinueContinue reading “Painting Beautiful Brains”

No Roots, Just Wings

Reflecting on Life and LossThe Tattoo on My Shoulder Doesn’t Mean What It Used ToPhoto of my Roots and Wings tattoo drawing by Christopher McDonald — Photo by Author.The tattoo on my shoulder reads, “You can have Roots and Wings.” Inspired by the poem Roots and Wings by Denis Waitley, I got it in 2016.It comforted me when I struggledContinueContinue reading “No Roots, Just Wings”

Happy Feels Different After Loss

This thought persisted in the years since losing my Dad and resurfaced with my Mom’s cancer diagnosis.Photo by author.My husband and I met seven years after I lost my father in a tragic motorcycle accident, yet he calls me a happy person. He says it’s one of the many reasons he loves me. Before he mentionedContinueContinue reading “Happy Feels Different After Loss”

My Trauma Isn’t That Special

Realizing the traumatic loss of a loved one isn’t actually uncommon helped me stop living in fear.One of my favorite photos of Dad. It was taken at my uncle’s wedding shortly before he passed. I am unsure to whom the photo credit belongs. The photo was edited by the author.The other day, my husband and I wereContinueContinue reading “My Trauma Isn’t That Special”