Rays Of Grace

The past six months have felt like years. So much has changed.  Covid has caused division and left us out of normalcy.  And then there was the George Floyd incident followed by riots.  And through it all, I feel like our nation has never been so divided. Admittedly, it is with hesitancy that I share this story. I am a white kid, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and honestly cannot think of one instance that I have been discriminated against in my life. I realize that I will never be able to understand what it is like to be a black …

Rays Of Grace – April/May 2020 God has blessed me with many role models in my twenty years.  Recently, I have discovered a role model that I never would have thought that I had.  I have come to look up to (both literally and figuratively) my younger brother Henry. (Note that I describe him as my younger and not my little brother.) Henry and I are only two years apart, so growing up, we were often at each other’s throats. I remember, at times, being so jealous of how effortlessly intelligent and athletic he was (Still is!)    And if …

Breathe in…and out. Ok I needed that. Do you ever have those “everything that could go wrong does go wrong” type of weeks? I can’t find my drivers license and I’m getting ready to board a flight.  I have orientation for a new job but my car won’t start. I am getting sick, and realizing that things were not going to work with a boy I was excited about. And oh yeah, the chaotic start to spring semester is here.  I started to feel down. It is safe to say this past week has been a tough one folks, but …

Today as I stepped outside, I saw my breath for the first time. My UGGs and my parka will be my outfit of choice until April (maybe even until May?!). My local Target store is filled with cute holiday décor that I didn’t know I needed until I walked into the store.  And so begins that special time of year…   The holidays? Well yes, but I am talking about “Cuffing season.” Now, for my non-millennial friends, I will define “cuffing” as the cold and dark months when someone who normally would rather be single finds themselves desiring to be …

Today as I was walking to class I noticed a few leaves starting to change colors. I have officially pulled out a few of my cozy sweaters and had my first pumpkin flavored coffee since last November (I don’t even like these drinks, but they just put me in the fall mood). Most importantly, the Packer just beat the Bears, Vikings and the Broncos. (These are just a few of my favorite indicators that the seasons are changing.) Although, I would kill for another long summer day with my brothers on Lake Wissota, I am excited about fall. I can’t …

Alrighty, folks, the “back to school” signs are up and plastered all over the stores. Here we go! I am about to be a junior in college, which is absolutely mind-blowing. I turn twenty in a few weeks– again, mind-blowing. Every year around my birthday, I think about the past year and game plan my attitude for the year ahead. These are the words I probably needed to hear throughout the past year, and some of the words I plan to use in the next year: First off, fully recognize that you are enough. You are more than enough! You …

I sit down to write on this rainy Memorial Day. There is a messy room that needs to be cleaned, studying to be done, and I am in dire need of a long run. Mom and dad are in the kitchen cooking dinner, the big boys are watching sports, Q is taking a nap, and the dog meanders around the house. I can’t help but look around at this chaos and feel really freaking blessed. Often, I find myself sitting on my phone in these moments, but my challenge for myself this summer is to really unplug from electronics and …

This past week has been one of the worst weeks I have had in a while. I got an exam back, and I didn’t do too hot. I felt lonely at school. My anxiety had been through the roof. I was doubting myself more than usual. I took all my anger out on my family, the people I love the most. Ugh… We all have hard days, weeks, months and even years. Hard parts are part of being human, but during these hard times, we should strive to let love in–rather than push love away. My eight-year-old brother was in …

How to be Single on Valentine’s Day This one goes out to all of my girlies who will not have a Valentine this year. Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly and for the first time in a long time, I won’t have a Valentine. But guess what? I kind of love it! How to be single this Valentine’s day: I remember when I was in high school (and even parts of last year) thinking that a guy would bring me happiness. But over the past year, I’ve really come to realize that I want to be happy with myself and love …

The other day, an amazing thing happened to me. A memory from exactly one year ago popped up on my phone. It was a picture of me during my freshman year of college, but with a notably puffy face and red eyes. I had been going through a miserable time. The caption read, “I hate it here, I want to come home.” The picture brought back a flood of emotions and reminded me of how overwhelmed I was back then. For so long, I had tried to hide that I wasn’t having the “typical college experience.” And at that moment, …