Author Archives: Emily

EVERYTHING WE HAVE INHERITED

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Emily

My walks through the streets of Center City Philadelphia each day have turned into a relentless reel of damaged and discarded souls, the life literally drained out of them. The homeless, the mentally ill, the addicted. Their suffering feels heightened, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Black Lives Matter, Philadelphia, Racism | Tagged | 2 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME: UPSIDE DOWN IN THE AGE OF TRUMP

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Emily

It’s harder than I thought it would be to write about gifts and gratitude, in the face of this creeping darkness, this foul energy that seems to have tainted everything. Today, I am celebrating the day of my birth – … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, Philadelphia, yoga | 1 Comment

CANCERCON 2017: WHY WE COME BACK

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Emily

My state of mind coming to Denver to speak as part of a young adult cancer conference was primarily one of perplexed amusement. When did I become a “leading expert” on adopting after cancer? I am simply one person with … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, fellow fighters, First Descents, Infertility, Life After Cancer | Leave a comment

a survivor’s note on the unthinkable

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Emily

Twelve years ago, the morning after the 2004 election, I sat at my desk at my old job, crying as I sent a long-winded email to all of my like-minded friends and family, telling them to keep heart after John … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

balance regained: an annual event

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Emily

The unconscious weight that bears down before a visit to the oncologist is never fully felt until after it dissipates, and the lightness of relief sets in. Recent weeks have been a time of intense, measured breathing, of looking for … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer | Leave a comment

MOTHER COURAGE

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Emily

The last few weeks have been a veritable flurry of activity on the “what the hell am I going to do with the rest of my life” front. Something has clicked over in me recently, as I’ve realized that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, Work | Leave a comment

NEVER GOING BACK AGAIN

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Emily

January: a benign but vaguely retched stew of prolonged family viruses, cabin fever, rescheduled birthday parties and post-holiday malaise. It is no wonder, then, that I decided to sit down for a job interview. You know, just to see what … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

inhale; exhale

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Emily

“They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn.” – Bob Dylan Mornings, moments, scrambling toward something, have marked the recent days. Waiting for a switch to flip, for clarity to emerge, literally, from darkness. But it wasn’t until … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, running, Writing, yoga | Leave a comment

the only safe place in the world

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Emily

There will come a time when my son isn’t waking up each night, stumbling towards mommy or daddy, and whimpering that we climb in bed with him to get him back to sleep. Invariably, one of us ends up spending … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Life After Cancer | Leave a comment

until the end of the world

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Emily

From the universal and far-reaching, to the personal, the claustrophobic; such was the journey of the past seven days. One week ago, I sat down to release thoughts that I didn’t even know had been gathering; I shared them with … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, running, Writing | Leave a comment