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When Would My Ship Roll In?
In the hush of the morning, as the first tendrils of sunlight laced through the window’s lattice, I cradled my coffee mug, a vessel filled with a warm, aromatic brew that welcomed the day with a tender, loving embrace. The steam pirouetted in the dawning light, swirling into existence and then fading just as swiftly. I let the heat from the ceramic vessel seep into my palms, as though drawing strength from it, and took a contemplative sip, my mind lost in the ebb and flow of my thoughts. I found myself pondering an age-old question, wrapped in the cloak of metaphor: when would my ship roll in? For years,…
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Celebrating Pride Month As An Intersex Lesbian
As the vibrant colors of rainbow flags adorn the streets and a wave of excitement fills the air, I am reminded that June is not just another month—it’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month! This annual celebration holds a special place in my heart as a married intersex lesbian. It is a time for me to reflect on my journey, embrace my true self, and share the love and pride that have shaped my life. Discovering My Identity Growing up, I always felt different. I questioned my place in a world that seemed to be divided into neat boxes of male and female. It was during my adolescence that I came across the…
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A Letter To My Younger Self
I was recently asked to speak in front of a high school class, and this inspired me to write a letter to my younger self in my diary. I have achieved numerous feats, but there is one particular moment that stands out as the pinnacle of my achievements: being granted the esteemed opportunity to address a high school audience. My dear younger self, it’s with a heavy heart that I must share the harsh realities of life’s journey with you. You are bound to experience heartaches, deeper than what you could ever anticipate. Betrayals will come from the very people you’ve loved deeply, the ones you would have moved mountains…
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My New Tractor
Today was a day I had been eagerly awaiting; it was the day my dream tractor finally arrived at our farm, and oh, what a sight it was! A beautiful green John Deere, gleaming under the sunlight, stood before me, ready to embark on countless adventures in the vast expanse of our land. The moment I laid eyes on it, I felt a surge of excitement and anticipation coursing through my veins. As a woman who has spent the past few years maintaining this land, I’ve spent countless hours tending to the property. Having a reliable and efficient tractor by my side had always been a dream of mine. It…
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Return To Hogback Mountain
Today I returned to an old sight, the 100-mile view from Hogback Mountain, in Marlboro, Vermont. It’s been years since I last stood here, my heart tender and apprehensive. Years, since that pivotal moment that changed my course in the most magical of ways. Today, I felt the echoes of that past reverberate with my every heartbeat as Amelia and I drove up the mountain road. The sights, the sounds, the smells of Vermont—they remain the same. The verdant expanse of the forest under the cool sky, the distant song of the birds, the rustle of leaves whispering secrets to the wind—they all greeted me as a dear old friend.…
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Live Fearlessly, Love Unapologetically
Life, I’ve come to understand, is for living. I must pursue those sparks that set my soul alight. I must engage in activities that elicit joy within me. I have to choose to be around those who ground me, those who respect me, who embrace me in a manner that reassures me of my worth, my acceptance, my love. Healing myself is a task I have to take on, even when it stings, particularly when it stings, so as not to approach my existence within the confines of my internal burdens. I must venture out into the world, undeterred by the perceptions of others. I cannot rob myself of experiences,…
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The Sun Still Rises, Even Through The Rain
Whenever I find myself engulfed by the waves of a bad day, I take solace in the knowledge that the sun still rises, even through the rain. There are moments when it feels like the stormy clouds have gathered solely to cast shadows on my life, drenching every aspect of it in a torrent of melancholy. But as a woman who has weathered many such tempests, I know there’s always light waiting to break through. I remind myself that there’s beauty to be found in the storm, in the droplets that weave intricate patterns on my window, and the way the world seems to hush, as if listening for the…
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Finding Inner Peace
As the first light of day broke through the horizon, I felt an irresistible urge to seek solace by the water. The cool morning air kissed my skin as I sprinted towards the shoreline, my heart racing with anticipation. Once there, I peeled off my clothes, one by one, casting aside the layers that shielded me from the world. I stood at the water’s edge, the tips of my toes sinking into the damp sand, and gazed out into the endless expanse before me. For a moment, time stood still, and I found solace in the soothing embrace of silence. I inhaled deeply, my lungs filling with the fresh air…
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Celebrating Amelia’s 36th Birthday
The sky was painted with hues of gold as the sun came up on another glorious day. I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty surrounding me, knowing that it paled in comparison to the woman who holds my heart. Today is my wife’s 36th birthday, and I am filled with gratitude and excitement as we celebrate the quirks that make her the extraordinary person she is. From the moment I met her, I knew there was something different about this woman, who would become the love of my life. Her vibrant spirit, warm smile, and unconventional ways attracted me like a moth to a flame. As our relationship blossomed,…
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The Complexity Of Self
As I reflect on my innermost feelings and desires, I realize that I’m a complex individual with a myriad of emotions that often seem to be at odds with each other. While I strive to be happy and positive, there are times when my mind seems to get trapped in a negative loop, causing me to feel sad and downcast. It’s a paradoxical situation that I find myself in, where I both want and don’t want to feel this way. It’s frustrating, and I often wonder why I can’t just shake off these negative thoughts and emotions and move on. However, I know that it’s not always that simple, and…