Mari Ruddy Right before the pandemic, I attended a writing workshop with Jeff Goins called Tribe. It was in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn’t know anyone attending, but I wanted to attend because I really wanted to finish my book and I was searching for support for how to make that happen. I connected with a few amazing … Read more
In the middle of the night recently, I had a dark night of the soul. I spent a bit of time contemplating the end of my life. What that would/could look like.It was very dark and very sad. Lots of angst and tears. Thankfully, at 3am, I shifted and asked myself, “Mari, you’re not dead … Read more
I was out walking this morning, as today is the New Moon in Capricorn, and as I approached the majestic Mississippi River, a powerful, graceful eagle soared on a wind gust feet in front of me. I made the instant decision to not pull out my phone to snap a photo and instead to breathe … Read more
We made it! I’ve written about it before, the holiday season isn’t pure joy for many, me included. It often feels like a challenge to me to be able to make it through. I’m estranged from most of my family and for many years now, I spend none of the holidays with my biological family. … Read more
The world is a better place when you have friends who understand what you are living through everyday. My many years of friendship with Scott K. Johnson is one example of someone who has a heart of gold AND who has lived with the challenge of type 1 diabetes for many years. Scott wrote a … Read more
I’m writing this post on American Thanksgiving 2023. To kick off the day I ran my tenth, as in every single year they’ve had the race, even during the pandemic when it was virtual, St Paul Turkey Trot. Today I ran the 10K. They have a 6K option too. I ran it with Jenny, Katie, … Read more
There are moments in life that stun. Last Friday, I experienced one of those moments. My publishing team has been teaching me for the past year how to launch and market a new book. I’ve been taking notes and paying attention. That said, until it happens, you never really know if it will work. On … Read more
What a couple of weeks it’s been! How are you doing this week? I hope you’re hanging in there. I’m still navigating the Stages of Grief from finding out I have Stage 2 metastatic breast cancer. My third round of breast cancer. I did learn, from my endocrinologist of all people!, why this third round … Read more
A few days ago, October 20th, 2023, was the 19th anniversary of getting word that I had breast cancer for the first time. In 2004, I was 39 and it was a shock to learn that the lump I had found in my right breast was cancer. Granted, it really wasn’t a shock as I … Read more
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I went in for a PET scan to see if the 5 nodules on my lungs, one of which had grown a little over the past year since they’ve been tracking it, were cancer. That PET scan was held on August 25th. I went in to meet with … Read more