by jo | May 26, 2015 | Everyday Stories
I wrote this poem almost exactly two years ago about some of the people in my hometown. I have moved away now, but they are still people whose faces light up when they see me in town, who hug me and ask how things are and are willing to hear the honest answers. They...
by jo | Apr 28, 2015 | Everyday Stories, Travel
Dear Denver, I came to you 8 months ago with my life packed into my Toyota Camry. It was a long drive. 18 hours of leaving my past behind. My own tears surprised me as I drove away from my family standing on the porch of my parent’s house, waving as they watched me...
by jo | Mar 10, 2015 | Everyday Stories
There’s this thing about me (that everyone says, but I don’t believe everyone means it, or knows how to do it): I absolutely love to laugh.I love funny movies. I love funny books. And over the past couple of years, I’ve discovered the joys of stand up comedy....
by jo | Mar 3, 2015 | Everyday Stories, Memoir & Essays
Eleven years. It’s been 11 years since she died. My older sister. Julie. Two years ago on my birthday, I wrote a column about celebrating even when it’s hard, and I talked about when my sister died, and the birthdays that followed. In the piece, there was this line:...
by jo | Feb 10, 2015 | Everyday Stories, Memoir & Essays
Story continued from last week’s Part 2 post. (read here) Some names and identifying circumstances may have been changed for the sake of those involved. (If you don’t read it all, scroll to bottom for the most impactful photo project I’ve ever been...