A few weeks ago, I ran the Chicagoland Half Marathon. It was my first in-person race since January 2020, and I was not looking forward to it. I had actually purchased the bib for the 2020 race, but because of COVID, the race had been cancelled, and participants were allowed to transfer to another raceContinue reading “Suffering for Suffering’s Sake”
When we moved to our apartment two blocks from the beach, I envisioned that I would get up many mornings and watch the fiery sun rise above Lake Michigan. Maybe do some yoga, maybe meditate. Just take in the calm, zen moment before rushing into another busy day. Well, we’ve lived in this apartment threeContinue reading “A Person Who Watches Sunrises”
The other day, I was headed downtown for an appointment. I go to this clinic frequently, and I have my route down to a science. I know to start in the inside lane and when to switch to the outer lane. I know which lane I need to be in to make the correct turn.Continue reading “Surrendering”
Back when I was applying to graduate schools and cautiously taking the next step to becoming a therapist, I attended a group interview for the program, in which I would ultimately enroll. During a small group, one of the professors reiterated the hardships of graduate. “You are going to have to make sacrifices throughout thisContinue reading “Running Through Graduate School”
Around this time two years ago, I was consumed with planning my upcoming June wedding. I was tracking last-minute RSVPS, obsessively checking the weather report, crying over tents and ice, and emailing my seamstress almost daily to see if she had finally finished my dress. The day was going to be perfect, and it trulyContinue reading “Celebratory Runs”
“It’s like heaven to hear your voice,” my friend J said, “butto know that you are at the beach, it’s even better.” It was Tuesday afternoon, or actually Wednesday. I don’t really remember thedays anymore. My only scheduled items are a few shifts at my part-time job andthe occasional social engagement. I had already doneContinue reading “The Aftermath”
I took the call in the main part of the Student Union. It was a Tuesday afternoon, so I was going to spend the next 10 hours in The Collegian office, which had terrible cell service, editing and revising the latest issue. The call came in, and I rushed up stairs to take it. “WeContinue reading “Embracing Uncertainty”
A butcher’s knife met the edge of my middle finger last night and left a fleshy wound. I was cutting sweet potatoes with a blade that probably wasn’t sharp enough for the job (or maybe it wasn’t the right kind of knife, I don’t know, I always say I will eventually learn how to properlyContinue reading “Butterflies in Waiting”
In January 2011, I was evacuated from my first Peace Corps country of service, Niger, due to terrorism activity. We were at a training in a village outside the capital when the decision came in from D.C., and a day later I was on United Nations plane back to the region where I lived andContinue reading “The Good of 2020”
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s the day we get to wear earth-toned sweaters, eat a bunch of deeply satisfying and comforting foods, drink wine at 11 a.m., and take multiple naps throughout the day. It’s the kickoff to the festive season, but it comes with no obligations. Just gathering, indulging, and giving thanks. EveryContinue reading “Thanksgiving in 2020”
Heather M. Mangan