on life
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People are People are People are People are People are People
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≻: People are People are People are People are People are PeopleYesterday, Hope and I went to get a pedicure. The T.V. was set to the Wendy Williams show. Naturally, I…
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Transformation
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≻: TransformationI participated in Arbonne’s 30 days to Healthy Living program! Here were the no no’s: dairy, gluten, soy, peanut butter,…
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Terrence
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≻: TerrenceTerrence stood at the corner of Thomas & Scottsdale Road. Each & everytime, it seemed, when we would visit McDonald’s,…
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Agreeing To Disagree Takes Courage
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≻: Agreeing To Disagree Takes CourageLife for mom is far from easy- her mouth is agape most of the time, her right hand tremors &…
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Untitled by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Untitled by Melissa RosellaMy mom did a very good job raising me, but left gaping holes. Her lack of teaching led me to…
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Binkies, Bottles, & Cries, Oh My by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Binkies, Bottles, & Cries, Oh My by Melissa RosellaWe made our way to the changing facility before swim lessons. It was only a few days into our lessons…
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Make Mistakes, Admit Accidents by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Make Mistakes, Admit Accidents by Melissa RosellaI maneuvered my stroller very carefully over the sidewalk. James & I had just left a new burritos place &…
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where is God? by Melissa Rosella
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≻: where is God? by Melissa Rosella“What does God look like?” Hope asked. “What do you think He looks like? Do you think He is a…
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Making it to Heaven
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≻: Making it to HeavenMom wanted to visit the gravestones of her mom, Coye, her sisters, Stella and Jackie, and her father, Jack, at…
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The Letter I Will Never EVER Send
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≻: The Letter I Will Never EVER SendDear Vince, I came to the Landmark Forum to forgive you for blaming me for my mom’s mental illness. It’s…
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I F~~~ing Love Guns N’ Roses
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≻: I F~~~ing Love Guns N’ RosesIt was the late 90s. Not sure how I obtained my cassette, “Appetite for Destruction,” but it really spoke to…
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I Can Do Hard Things & So Can You
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≻: I Can Do Hard Things & So Can YouI had a crush on a blonde-haired, blue-eyed skinny boy my freshman year of high school. He played in the…
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Mom, God, & Me by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Mom, God, & Me by Melissa RosellaWe walked into the restaurant & the techno music was blaring. We sat in a circular booth close to the…
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Mom & Mental Illness by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Mom & Mental Illness by Melissa RosellaShe lowers her head as we sit on the couch. She looks me in the eye and holds my hand.…
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The Woman in the Mirror by Melissa Rosella
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≻: The Woman in the Mirror by Melissa RosellaI drove by the original spot that I last saw Jennifer on our way to the park. She was not…
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Friend Connecting & Bridge Building by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Friend Connecting & Bridge Building by Melissa RosellaI try way too hard to fit in and sometimes I think I don’t fit in because I’m not supposed…
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Perfection is an Illusion by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Perfection is an Illusion by Melissa RosellaShe bought Gucci shoes. She only buys name brand clothes. She got plastic surgery that included a breast augmentation, a…
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Hope Floats by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Hope Floats by Melissa RosellaTo the moms & dads reading this that have lost a child: I see you, I feel you, & my heart…
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Jennifer by Melissa Rosella
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≻: Jennifer by Melissa RosellaIt was a routine school pick up. That’s when I noticed a homeless woman named Jennifer. She was sitting outside…
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empathy
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≻: empathyIt is unfair to expect others to meet us where we are & show us empathy if they have never…
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unconditional love
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≻: unconditional loveMy mom suffers from schizophrenia. It’s an ugly mental illness that showed its nasty face when I was 15. Mom…
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don’t judge a book by its cover
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≻: don’t judge a book by its coverYears ago, a boyfriend of a friend of mine said, “Mel got her life handed to her on a golden…
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forgiveness is hard
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≻: forgiveness is hardI was sexually assaulted in high school. I didn’t know it was sexual assault at the time. I’d been drinking…
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the power of vulnerability
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≻: the power of vulnerabilityWe all have a story to tell, a life made up of trials & tribulations. Our lives are filled with…
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whispers of self-compassion
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≻: whispers of self-compassion1.be vulnerable 2. you don’t have to try so hard 3. open your heart 4. just be your beautiful self…
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there are no prerequisites to worthiness
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≻: there are no prerequisites to worthinessworth is measured by: 1. character 2. heart 3. faith 4. love for others 5. intentions 6. acknowledgment that God…
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fill your cup, first
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≻: fill your cup, firstPlease take care of yourself! Do the thing that matters to you and do it every single day. Put you…
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love TRUMPS all
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≻: love TRUMPS allSaddened that I did not get my absolute wish, my true hope, & my fresh perspective for a female, experienced…
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aging
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≻: agingRecently had a photo shoot & I noticed the picture of our beautiful little family. I noticed my obvious smile…
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an artist
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≻: an artistI’m intrigued by Hope’s creativity. She’s innovative & inventive & creative & spontaneous & thoughtful. I’m especially fascinated by her…
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soft belly
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≻: soft bellyAn interesting thing happened after Hope & I stepped out of the shower this afternoon. We both went to change…
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remember what matters most
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≻: remember what matters mostMy husband asked me what I did for the 5 kid less (or napping) hours that I had, yesterday. I…
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mommying is hard
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≻: mommying is hardWatched a video, today, that revealed my true feelings about being a mother. I watched it & instantly felt a…
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holiday memories
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≻: holiday memoriesI miss my grandmother, Grammy. She’s no longer with us. I miss the smell of her perfume. I miss the…
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numbing
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≻: numbingHi, I’m Mel & I’m an emotional eater. I eat when I’m sad. I eat when overwhelmed. I eat when…
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sucked in & over my head
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≻: sucked in & over my headI’ve been a shitty mom for the last 12 months. I’ve put my iPhone my iPad & my computer &…
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disable the label
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≻: disable the labelTuesday, Hope’s teacher mentioned how wonderfully Hope colors in the lines & mentioned her phenomenal fine motor skills. I think…
mama next door 