06/18/2026
“You can cut down the flowers, but you can’t stop the spring” —Pablo Neruda
In times of uncertainty, like waiting to hear health results, it’s easy to jump to the what-ifs. When your uncle dies prematurely from colon cancer at 66 from avoiding the doctor, you reflect. And suddenly, you’re fighting insurance to allow a healthy person to have a colonoscopy before 45. I know, graphic, but it’s life-saving and whatever they find you can handle, even if it is cancer.
But in the waiting you recognize the parallel worlds of animals and humans, because your dog has tumors on his ultrasound, but they turn out to be benign. Cue the party, but only it’s chicken because he has a sensitive stomach and is on antibiotics. And again you reflect on how animals “handle everything” because you can’t hear their internal dialogue.
From an early dismissal due to a warming planet and lack of A/C (it’s coming, Colonial) you embrace the time with your son and the ability to read more great books and celebrate his first book of poetry at school. Escaping the digital world. It also leads to curiosity to how other countries are adapting to climate change and learning in the process. Reading about the Netherlands’ “teachable moment” from flooding you start figuring out how to turn non-porous, petro-chemical releasing asphalt into a green schoolyard so that children have a better future and even higher math scores by 6-7%. Seriously, look up the research.
I dismiss my impostor syndrome and step up to be the Chair of the Town of Pelham’s Sustainability Advisory Board and *finally* link the two villages, school board, and environmental groups together. Bliss, but hard-working bliss.
The photo I took on day that was rejected because I didn’t like how I look/compare it to others resurfaces, because I’m good enough and I can show up for myself. Now, excuse me while I embrace long form narrative and admire the roses in my yard, who are really my grandmother reincarnate by the same name.
