Stories
The Narcissist and the Empath
Google the relationship between a narcissist and an empath and you can see for yourself, just how toxic that journey can be… well, I survived it and let me tell you, I am still rebuilding myself and that process is going to take some time.
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Fire and Heart: Finding Silver Linings When the Universe Hates You
Hi, I’m Melissa. In October of 2017 I became a victim of the Tubbs Fire that burned through Santa Rosa, California. Then two months later, I gave birth to my son Apollo, who would have four major surgeries before he was eight months old as a result of a severe heart defect.
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1906 Earthquake Commemoration and Lyrics to “San Francisco”
Every year in the early morning hours of April 18th, a group of people gather at Lotta’s Fountain in San Francisco to commemorate the anniversary of the 1906 earthquake and fires. It’s not a large group – sometimes it seems like the press outnumber the attendees. Folks, many who have links to survivors of the quake, some dressed in period clothing, gather to remember the event and the devastating impact it had on the city. There is always a call to be prepared. The next “big one” could always be just around the corner.
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Sometimes I want to punch Marie Kondo in the face
When you’ve lost everything in a fire, you kind of want to punch Marie Kondo in the face. Going through your personal belongings and only keeping what sparks joy? How about when you have to go to Safeway to buy a pair of leggings just so you can have something to wear other than pajama pants?
Screw sparking joy. I just want some underwear.
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Motherhood, PTSD and the Loss of Optimism
Strength and perseverance has always come easy to me. I’ve always been a ‘glass half full’ kind of person. To be fair, I haven’t had the hardest life, but I can usually find a very clear path forward whenever the universe decides to make things interesting.
The universe lately has had one sick sense of humor.
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