Part 3: Washing Away

Posted by Ruth Cassell on March 26, 2015 · 4 Comments 

On March 15, 2015, a group of Roanoke runners, got together for an annual race. It landed directly on a day holding great significance for me. I spent the sunny Sunday climbing to the Mill Mountain Star with my best friend and little sidekick, and visiting my brother’s grave site. I haven’t run since early … Continue reading →

Category Addiction, Alcoholism, Defining Boundaries, Family, Healthy Living, Setting Goals, Suicide · Tagged with , , ,

Part 2: Washing Away

Posted by Ruth Cassell on March 24, 2015 · 4 Comments 

Last weekend, on March 15, 2015, a group of Roanoke runners, got together for an annual race. It landed directly on a day holding great significance for me. I spent the sunny Sunday climbing to the Mill Mountain Star with my best friend and little sidekick, and visiting my brother’s grave site. I haven’t run … Continue reading →

Category Addiction, Alcoholism, Defining Boundaries, Family, Healthy Living, Intentions, Setting Goals, Suicide · Tagged with , , ,

Part 1: Washing Away

Posted by Ruth Cassell on March 22, 2015 · 4 Comments 

Last weekend, on March 15, 2015, a group of Roanoke runners, got together for an annual race. It landed directly on a day holding great significance for me. I spent the sunny Sunday climbing to the Mill Mountain Star with my best friend and little sidekick, and visiting my brother’s grave site. I haven’t run … Continue reading →

Category Addiction, Alcoholism, Defining Boundaries, Family, Healthy Living, Setting Goals, Suicide · Tagged with , , ,

Fallen Pillars

Posted by Ruth Cassell on February 23, 2015 · 6 Comments 

Time manages to march on when one who held so many others up no longer stands amongst us. A year ago today, my dear friend Rob Grogan lost a long, hard-fought, unjust battle with carcinoma cancer. I knew him from my first years in college, living in our shared adopted home of Fredericksburg, VA and … Continue reading →

Category Change, Family · Tagged with , ,

How I Got Here

Posted by Ruth Cassell on November 16, 2014 · 2 Comments 

Writing has long been a source of identity for me. I published a zine and audio zine when I was 16. A reckless collection of poetry and journal musings about a boy (like many others) I should’ve never been into and my struggle against parental interference. Or, puppy love BS packaged in a grungy, edgy … Continue reading →

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Pokemon: A lesson in adaptability

Posted by Ruth Cassell on October 13, 2014 · Leave a Comment 

Fog greeted the day, and steady rain played background to our playful chatter. Tucked away in a toasty home, we barely cared the sun never showed up this Sunday. We spent the afternoon getting odd jobs done around the house and attempting to decipher the Pokemon trading card game. Pokemon is complicated. The cards evolve … Continue reading →

Category Change, Family, Parenting, Saying No, Setting Limits · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Parenting from a Place of Healing

Posted by Ruth Cassell on September 30, 2014 · 2 Comments 

I am on a journey. I chose a path of self-discovery and recovery, equipped with a determination to live intentionally and love responsibly. Self-discovery constantly unveils new layers of personality to be tended and cultivated. The path constantly grows and shifts, revealing new alcoves of sunshine and new life; uncovering tangled vines and challenging roots. … Continue reading →

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Change begets Change

Posted by Ruth Cassell on September 22, 2014 · Leave a Comment 

This summer, I went on a life change bender. I simultaneously undertook two of life’s major changes. I said I do, again, merely two years after my divorce finalized and four years after my first marriage ended. I said yes to a new job, completely obliterating my comfort zone and choosing passion and intuition over … Continue reading →

Category Defining Boundaries, Family, Intentions, Positive Thinking, Safe people · Tagged with , , , , ,

Work: It’s What I Do

Posted by Ruth Cassell on September 15, 2014 · Leave a Comment 

I value hard work. It took me some time to realize the intrinsic link between that value and my worldview. A hard worker is as attractive to me as sculpted arms or deep chocolate eyes. On days I feel unproductive, my sense of self worth plummets. For me, recognizing how I view hard work was … Continue reading →

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First Be Patient with Yourself

Posted by Ruth Cassell on March 14, 2014 · Leave a Comment 

Driving along with windows down, warm spring air rushes into our ears and lungs. From the back seat, “Where does wind come from?” The question stumps me. Incessant questions stream from the back seat while he and I are running errands, driving to preschool, and truth be told anytime we’re in the car and he’s … Continue reading →

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