*Content/trigger warning* My therapist recently described Allen’s suicide as a “catastrophic trauma.” She asked me if I agreed with the description and after I scoffed, I quickly confirmed. It seemed like an understatement. But the longer I spend tossing that phrase around in my head, I'm not sure there is a better way to describeContinue reading "‘Catastrophic’"

As published in the Thursday, July 27, News-Banner. I still remember when I registered my first vehicle here, earning the “90” on my license plate. I joked that this community was stuck with me for awhile. This summer marks 10 years since I’ve called Wells County home. After a childhood full of memories visiting theContinue reading "10 years have passed in a blink of an eye"

As seen in the March 1, 2023, Bluffton News-Banner. Finn and I after the IUWBB win in Bloomington against Rutgers. Every decision you make as a parent isn’t life or death. And the outcome of every decision may not have longterm effects on your child. But some decisions, you hope, steer him in the rightContinue reading "Some parenting decisions are easy"

As seen in the Friday, January 27, 2023, edition of The Bluffton News-Banner. My $5 bag sale haul, top and bottom, in December 2023. Evidence of my new hobby can be found all around my house. Hanging on my walls and in my closet. In my son’s toy bins. Decorating my home office.All of theContinue reading "Thrifting: A way to reduce, reuse and repurpose"

Jessica Bricker As seen in the Dec. 1, 2022, Bluffton News-Banner. Isn’t it true that while so many things change, some things stay the same? I had the opportunity to celebrate the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend doing something I haven’t done in more than 20 years: Visit my dad’s side of the family in theContinue reading "The power of nostalgia in the Kentucky mountains"

Jessica Bricker As seen in the Nov. 1, 2022, Bluffton News-Banner. I’m embarrassed to admit how much time and fuel I’ve spent these past few weeks driving my toddler around this town looking at Halloween decorations. But on Sunday, the unexpected purpose of it all came into focus. It was a tradition we started onContinue reading "Neighbors, community and inflatable pumpkins"