Because writers write when we feel intense emotion. Right now I feel relief, sadness, nostalgia and pain. Relief because I’m no longer a witness to suffering and I don’t have to clean up volumes of pee off my hardwood floors. Sadness because my first baby is gone. Nostalgia because I remember fondly our times together … More Goodbye Oscar: A Pet Owner’s Story of Love and Loss

I was born in my sister’s shadow. Sometimes I found safety in it– as if the cloak of popularity and likability that my sister wore would somehow also protect me.  Other times, that shadow was cold and dark, as shadows tend to be.  It made sense that everyone in my small town adored her. Sure … More The Other Frederick Girl

A black girl was called the N-word on the playground in elementary school in the 90’s-that black girl was me. A black girl was called ugly because of her dark black skin in elementary school in the 90’s-that black girl was me. A black girl created and independently executed a project for the science fair … More That was me: A millennial woman’s experience with racism

So today marks the 14th anniversary of my marriage to Thomas N. Howard. It’s a point of celebration in the midst of such tragedy. I want to take this time to tell you about my black man, whose life matters. We met in 1998 when we were both in high school.  He was the co-president … More My Black Man

I have never been fond of the term “work-life balance.” When I think of balance, an image of a gymnast on a balance beam comes to mind.  The beautifully sculpted body moves with incredible accuracy and precision along the length of the beam, periodically leaping like a ferry into the air. The body folds and … More The Balancing Act

I wrote this blog on May 14th, 2017 for all of the Would-Be Mothers, especially those struggling with infertility.  Chances are, either you or someone you know, can relate. Enjoy. ****************************************************************************** I woke up this morning to my sweet husband kissing my cheek and saying “Happy Mother’s Day.”  Friday, Nayla gave me her gift she … More Happy (Would-Be) Mother’s Day

“Do you guys really have to check her labs every 4 hours?” I asked. Nayla hated getting her blood drawn as every baby would. It was painful seeing her scream in terror every time the phlebotomist would come draw them. I was really anxious as we did all of the pre testing before surgery to … More Chew, Chew, Chew!

So, I took off a few days for Nayla’s spring break so that we could do something special. I decided to drive from Birmingham to Chattanooga to see the aquarium and the children’s museum. I heard great things about the aquarium, mostly that it was smaller and less crowded than Atlanta’s aquarium but equally fun. … More The Air in the Spare

Today I saw one of my favorite and most challenging patients. She is 88 and sweet as pie. I have been seeing her quite regularly for a particular issue that remains unresolved. I see her so regularly, that I know her story before ever having to open her chart, which is saying a lot. She … More I Cried Over a Bird