Girl Drew

Over the past three years, I've sat down to write many posts that seemed surreal — events that felt as though they were taking place on another plane. I felt overwhelmed as I stared at the computer screen, searching for the words to properly share my husband Ramón's leukemia diagnosis. Then there was the apprehension I felt as I typed about his relapse, as if each keystroke was giving the cancer more power. I remember the evening I hunkered down to share the terrifying story

This photograph may look like your average 36-year-old man eating a red, white, and blue popsicle, but there's much more. At the time, this guy (let's call him Ramón) was supporting his wife (let's say she's me) at the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation walk, Great Strides. Ramón knew that loving someone with cystic fibrosis might be complicated, but he followed his heart. After eating that popsicle (and likely several more), Ramón and I headed back to our condo — though we di

I went to a spin class two weeks ago. It was hard. I used to go regularly, but that was more than a decade ago. On top of that, I was battling post-COVID-19 fatigue and felt like there was a fire raging in my lungs at certain points during the workout. However, I got off the bike at the end of class and felt satisfied. I knew I’d done my best. Was it my greatest spin performance of all time? Nope. But I gave it all I had. And it was my lifetime best spin showing in the state

Today this guy would have turned 43! It would have also been the three-year anniversary of his cancer diagnosis. This year, as the date approached, I simply viewed it as Ramón's birthday. In fact, I only remembered two days ago about the coinciding cancer-versary. That's major progress in my healing journey! Here are some ways to help celebrate Ramón today: Do something kind for another person Toast to his remarkable life Treat yourself to something he loved, like Indian food