About
I am a mother of three, sharing my journey of hope and survival following the loss of our son...
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Bloom where you're planted...
Bloom where you’re planted… You would think it would be easy, since I already have roots here, but it’s not. Since we sold our house six weeks ago, I have been fussing and complaining to various degrees… Not constantly, but far more often than I care to consider… At times I’ve hardly been able to stand being around myself. &nb...
More...Aug. 26, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
Intervention?
“That even if you aren’t texting, your cell phone can still cause accidents. Your family is so strong and Brian’s story has already impacted me more than you would think. <3 Thank you! Also, I have been suicidal + cutting for a while now but I’ve been getting better but Brian’s story made me even more confident in wanting to continue to live and enjoy life while it lasts…” &n...
More...Aug. 18, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
Just Ordinary, Please...
Last week I was catching up with a fairly new acquaintance when he asked if I had anyone else I could bring with me when visiting schools in his area. I misunderstood his question, as I thought he was inquiring about the possibility of other bereaved parents joining me to share their stories. Though I’ve encountered many who’ve lost children over the last six years, only a fraction have ever spoken publicly about their loss....
More...Aug. 08, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
Reality-Check?
Sometimes you have to give up something good to make way for something that’s even better… Unfortunately, what’s ‘better’ isn’t necessarily obvious or immediately evident. Or so I keep telling myself. John’s elation continues…putting some distance between himself and what he believes to be the biggest mistake of his life has unleashed a euphoria the likes of which I’ve...
More...Jul. 28, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
Farewell Fireworks...
On the 4 th of July weekend nineteen years ago, we drove to Columbia for a family reunion at my grandparent’s lake house… Seventeen years ago around the same time, my grandfather suffered a massive stroke… Fifteen years ago we were involved in a minor hit-and-run car accident within a mile of home as we returned from watching the fireworks display in Uptown Charlotte… ...
More...Jul. 16, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
Pack and Purge...
When we relocated to this house, we turned it into a family adventure… We packed up and hauled our things across the street and a mile down the road to keep Brian and Grace in the same high school zone. We never intended to stay; it was meant to be a temporary home while our children finished school. You know what they say about the best laid plans…things don’t always work out quite the way you imagine… ...
More...Jun. 24, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
Remembering Brian
How could you ever know that one little decision would change everything? I pray that you don’t, nor ever will… Six years ago on Thursday, June 5, 2008, John and I gave Brian his first taste of real freedom. We turned over the keys to a light blue, four-door Honda Civic, never dreaming exactly one week later, our lives would be forever changed… You NEVER think it can...
More...Jun. 11, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
Memory Keeper
I’d forgotten about the dusty, crumpled boxes shoved to the side of the attic until John dropped them in the middle of the room… Not long after we moved ourselves, my grandmother’s principal residence was sold. Once other family members finished going through her house, only nine cardboard boxes remained, symbolizing fifty plus years of her life lived in that place … At a glance, there didn’t seem to b...
More...Jun. 03, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine -
About Mother's day...
The morning before Mother’s day, I found myself smack dab in the middle of a friendly disagreement… An acquaintance declared his belief that Mother’s day is a pagan holiday. I was caught off guard by his statement; eventually I recovered enough to respond: “I might agree with it being a Hallmark kind of holiday, but to say its ‘pagan’ is ridiculous. Not every holiday is a religious one. And besides, I like celeb...
More...May. 24, 2014 | Permalink -
Empty Next?
I lie awake, listening carefully to the sound of a still home, minutes slipping by as I consider the unfolding future… On one hand, this is nothing like I expected; on the other, it’s exactly as I thought it would be. Less rooms to keep clean… Fewer clothes to wash… No dishes piled up in the sink… A fundamental strategy shift at the grocery store… Our nest is finally empty&hell...
More...May. 11, 2014 | Permalink | Carolina Sonshine
Meet the Moms Admin
Mandy Ravin is a mom of three who manages the MomsCharlotte site in between carpool drops-offs, soccer games, gymnastics meets, homework, laundry and trying to stay sane in the nutty world that is being a mom. Mandy can be reached at: mravin@charlotteobserver.com and welcomes your ideas, events, feedback, resources, and anything else that helps you be a happier mom.