Hey there,

Apparently, I have a To Do in life, and it's handing out unsolicited advice like free samples at Costco. For whatever reason, people keep coming to me with their problems, maybe because I am a chatty Kathy, or maybe because I’m cheaper than therapy (no copay required). Either way, I keep sharing my best TikTok-inspired wisdom, and somehow, people keep coming back for more.

I’ve picked up a few truths along the way. And every now and then, I’ve been lucky enough to cross paths with a good soul or two who spoke words of wisdom that stuck with me. I would like to share my overly opinionated lessons with you—not because I have all the answers, but because I know how much it helps to hear from someone who’s been there. If even one thought sparks something meaningful for you, then that’s worth it.

I have tons of advice that I find myself sharing over and over, so I figured, why not make it official? Welcome to my newsletter, where I take all the life lessons, random insights, and bits of wisdom I’ve picked up from living at least 100 lifetimes and serve them up with a side of humor and some thought-provoking questions you might want to ask yourself.

Let’s be real—sometimes, talking to a stranger is the best therapy.

There’s no fear of judgment, no history weighing down the conversation—just you, a seat at the table, and an open heart. It’s funny how sharing your worries with someone new can feel safer than opening up to those closest to you. Maybe it’s because there’s no pressure to have all the answers, just the space to be heard and if you are anything like me, I want to be heard a lot.

We’re all out here trying to keep our heads above water. Some of us float effortlessly, while others are out here frantically dog paddling and pretending, we’re fine. (I see you. We all see you.) But the truth is, struggling doesn’t mean failing, it just means you’re trying, and you are human. Here’s a secret, we humans are pretty resilient, even on our messiest days.

So, if nothing else, let this newsletter be your casual sit-down time with a friend sipping on your favorite coffee, wine or your choice of liquid courage. Let this be a space where we navigate the daily chaos together, with a little wisdom, a little laughter, and a lot of understanding.

Now that we’re officially friends…

I figured it’s time to share some of my most humiliating, hilarious, heartwarming, and downright tough lessons. Life has a way of handing out wisdom in the craziest ways possible, and if my stories can give you even a shred of normalcy (whatever normal actually means), then hey, mission accomplished.

So, buckle up, my friends. The world is beautiful, terrifying, ridiculous, and full of moments that will either make you laugh until you cry, or cry until you laugh. Either way, you’re not alone in it. Enjoy life’s Poetic Chaos.

 My mess… (secret… it gets better)

"This Little Light of Mine—Or at Least the Flickering Porch Light, I call My life"

You ever look at the moon and feel the undeniable urge to howl? No? Just me? Cool. Maybe it’s the full moon, or maybe it’s the fact that life handed me a story wilder than most country songs. Either way, here we are." The urge to howl like a dog chasing a vehicle comes from my childhood spent bouncing between more homes than an Amazon delivery truck. The state showed up when I was five and decided that a cellar, some malnourished kids, and zero school attendance wasn’t exactly the pinnacle of a healthy childhood environment. And just like that, off we went—me and my siblings, packed up to a very questionable field trip, destination: foster care.

Now, you might think this is where I tell you all the horror stories. And listen, the abuse, the chaos, and the absurd number of places I called "home" could fill a library. "Moving from home to home wasn’t just about new beds and new rules—it was about learning that trust was a currency I didn’t have." Somewhere in the mix, I developed an eating disorder to keep men away. Then, in a plot twist no one expected, I became a vegetarian—not for health reasons, but because I wanted people to notice me. I’d love to say it was the weirdest thing I did, but honestly, the list is long and varied.  But here’s the thing—I didn’t come out of all that with hate in my heart. Weird, right? Apparently, I view life a little differently than most. People tell me that all the time, like I have some sort of trauma-induced superpower or maybe I am just numb now.

If you asked me when the healing started, I’d probably stare at you for a long time, sip my coffee like it held the answer, and mumble something vague about " my journey." But if I had to pinpoint a moment—one that shook me awake—it was driving to work listening to the radio vaguely paying attention to the songs on my 45-minute commute.

I sat there—arms crossed, traffic inching forward—my mind tangled in to-do lists and the soul-sucking monotony of work. Then, a song came on… and everything shifted.

"I want to go back” by David Dunn

The words were so powerful, and it had real meaning—as a kid I sang those words when life was anything but light and laid in bed convincing myself Jesus loved me. But this time? I heard it. Like really heard it. And something in me cracked. I began to tear up and smile at that moment I realized: My light had never gone out. It had been buried, dimmed, shoved into corners—but it was still there, waiting.

And maybe—just maybe—going back to where Jesus loved and this little light of mine shined, I wouldn’t have to keep bracing for the next storm. Maybe healing wasn’t about erasing the past but about stepping into the present without fear.

In that moment I was comforted through all the insanity life has thrown my way, church was a constant. Singing “This Little Light of Mine” with kids who had just as many questionable life experiences as I did was strangely comforting. The light never went out, even when life threw everything it had at me. I’ve always clung on to it.

If you’ve ever felt like your light’s been dimmed, maybe we can figure out how to brighten it together."

Come join me on this journey—weekly doses of life lessons, faith, survival, and probably a little more Tik Tok wisdom. You in?

Your Friend, Me