A joyful heart
When I sit down to write something grief related, I occasionally feel a twinge of worry. I’m concerned that by continuing to document my...
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- Jun 7
- 1 min
Down here on earth
I cut my left hand this morning. It was nothing serious, but it warranted the use of antiseptic spray. As I got the bottle out of the...
- Mar 21
- 3 min
A little birdie
I approached the window just in time to see half of my favorite tree topple to the ground. I stood there, mouth agape in disbelief, as I...
- Dec 8, 2021
- 2 min
A decade later and I'm still dancing
Ten years ago today, Ramón came to an improv show and was apparently smitten enough to send a friend request on Facebook. I accepted it...
- Aug 10, 2021
- 4 min
A nice ring to it
As the one-year anniversary of Ramón’s death approached, I went to a jeweler to get my engagement and wedding rings resized — an idea I’d...
- Dec 1, 2020
- 2 min
All is fair
Last week, after checking my temperature, the dental hygienist led me to my exam room. “How’s your husband doing?” she asked with the...
- Aug 18, 2020
- 4 min
Befores and afters
A few weeks ago, two of my long-time cohorts stopped by to enjoy drinks and conversation – and bring dinner (Yum!). My friend Amanda...
- Aug 5, 2020
- 3 min
An August of opportunity
Though I’ve been writing regularly, I haven’t posted much lately. This is mostly for good reason. For example, my friend Elaine came back...
- Jun 25, 2020
- 3 min
Day +76: Mashed potatoes
This morning, day +76, while walking the dogs, my mom turned to me and asked, “Did I tell you about the dream where I was feeding Ramón...
- Jun 16, 2020
- 2 min
Day +67: Smoother waters
It’s day +67 since Ramón’s transplant. Given that the first 100 days are critical, it’s relieving to know we’re two-thirds of the way...
- Apr 18, 2020
- 5 min
Days +5 to +8
Day +5: Window of opportunity April 15, 2020 It’s been a while since I’ve said this, but we had a good day! Though we’ve had glimpses...
- Mar 12, 2020
- 2 min
Keeping it ill
It’s everywhere you turn: coronavirus this and coronavirus that. One minute, you read an article about a grieving daughter who suddenly...
- Mar 1, 2020
- 2 min
Day 300
We made it to day 300! Sometimes it’s still hard for me to believe Ramón was diagnosed with leukemia last May. It’s even more difficult...
- Jan 25, 2020
- 2 min
Run Ramón run
A few weeks before Ramón was diagnosed with cancer, he participated in a relay race with a group of friends. The term “relay race” sounds...
- Oct 25, 2019
- 2 min
The straight and marrow
You know how sometimes things work out perfectly with no loose ends and complete closure, like a beautifully wrapped gift with a bow on...
- Oct 22, 2019
- 3 min
Wait no more
Yesterday afternoon, I cozied up in bed with the dogs to do a meditation. Let’s be real; we all know that’s the prelude to a mid-day nap....
- Oct 10, 2019
- 5 min
It's just a game. But I still hurt.
October 10. 10/10. That sounds like a date filled with promise, doesn’t it? It’s clean and round and associated with a perfect score....
- Sep 29, 2019
- 2 min
A tribute to Grocery Bag Lady
When we moved to our current neighborhood, we slowly got a feel for our surroundings. A certain neighbor sits on his front steps every...
- Sep 19, 2019
- 4 min
Grief: A hard pill to swallow
Grief is very real. It’s exhausting, it’s sneaky, and it’s unpredictable. And it spans to all areas of loss – actual, perceived, or even...
- Sep 10, 2019
- 1 min
Yellow door
Earlier this year, we decided to paint the laundry room door a bright and cheerful yellow. Like most household projects, it ended up...
My name is Drew Dotson, and my life has been anything but perfect, yet it's still perfectly beautiful. After growing up with a genetic disease, cystic fibrosis, I was blessed to meet an amazing man who loved me without bounds. Then he died.