Essays
Writing about grief, leadership, childhood, faith, community, and the complicated work of being human together.
Featured essay
“I didn’t need to ask her how she was doing—by speaking her language, or rather, listening for it, she showed me.”
How are you, really?
After a frightening hospital stay, a child begins to make sense of what happened through play—an essay about listening for the language someone is already using.
All essays
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Leadership in the unexpected storm
A sudden Chicago snow squall becomes a lesson in leadership: preparation matters, but so does the ability to release the plan, reassess quickly, and act wisely when conditions change.
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The night before
Workout clothes wait for morning while sleep is interrupted by caffeine, a child’s growing pains, and the snooze button. A short poem about intention, exhaustion, and beginning again.
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Leadership lessons in unexpected places
A day at a crowded water park reveals five practical lessons for leaders: set clear expectations, inspect what you expect, understand motivation, stay curious about barriers, and care enough to say no.
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Sometimes you’ve only been here six years
A six-year-old’s tears over a carrot are not really about the carrot. Sometimes understanding begins by noticing the transition, loneliness, and exhaustion surrounding the moment—and offering comfort before correction.
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On grief
Grief arrives like an unexpected houseguest, carrying overstuffed bags of memory and rearranging the room. Over time, resisting her gives way to sitting beside her and letting the feelings return in full color.
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Sometimes a baby poops and you have to evacuate the pool
A canceled swim lesson begins as an inconvenience and becomes a lesson in perspective. When plans fall apart, a parent can remain stuck in frustration—or help children move through disappointment with honesty and humor.