Writing life — Brave Tutu Blog

Pup Life

Growing up with pups, I loved them. However, one dog shifted that love into pure adoration.

With two paws planted on the low window ledge, a small black creature peered into our dining room window. Saying— “I’m home. Wanna let me in?”

In our backyard, of brick walls, there is no way this pup “arrived” unassisted. Of course, we searched for his people and, quickly realized, we were them. I often joked, and still sort of believe, we’d find a parachute and slung off Snoopy bomber goggles. ID tag: HEAVEN

Clear Eyes

Clear eyes. Full heart. Can’t lose.

This mantra from Friday Night Lights played in my mind on a drive home to Midland Texas. Often, I hit the Permian Basin at sunset, a perfect backdrop for the oil rigs, as the sky peaches and pinks. Like the opening credits in FNL, these diligent “steel cows” nod their heads amidst endless Texas terrain.

Millions of Moments

I hope you will forgive me when I break format for this post. I can’t provide a SINGLE circumstance in this piece because this dream come true for me was built on what feels like a million moments.

Application to Date Me

Amidst a sea of positivity, I let one voice stop me from swimming. Anyone relate? I had a funny idea. One that makes me laugh just thinking of it. An idea that others joined in with amusement and encouraged me to try. Did I listen to their voices? Nope. Did I let the voice of one friend, who laughed (not in a good way) at my idea get to me?

YES!

Surreal Season

During the pandemic, I tend to begin messages this way— “I hope this email finds you well during this surreal season.” Whether it’s a work contact I’ve never met or someone I’ve known for years, I imagine saying so much more. Let’s face it, this one-sentence greeting barely scratches the surface of what may be happening off screen in their daily lives—of how the email really “finds” them. I want to reach through the ether and just give them a hug. I think about the words I wish to share…

Exes and COVID

The first social distance weekend of March, I got a call, not a text, from someone I dated in 2018. We weren’t serious, but we had a connection. He asked if he could take me out after all this was over.

Handwritten by Guest Author Jacob Cramer

Every year, my grandma writes me and my brother Chanukah cards. They’re personalized, filled with love, and usually also filled with gelt: chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil when we were younger, and a small bit of money today. This Chanukah, her card was just what I needed as I stepped off of a rollercoaster of a semester.

Showing Up

I clip into my spin bike and look around the room. I spot the familiar faces and think, These guys are always here. They must come all the time. Way more than me.

Before I even start the workout, I beat myself up a bit. Why?

The music starts to speed up. I catch my rhythm and try to dismiss the thoughts.

Nightmares

Roaches. They haunt my first memories. In Lubbock, TX circa age two, my twin sister and I both woke up from bad dreams. We set out to seek comfort. Reaching our parents required a journey across the house.

We knew endless dark bugs waited for us.