by Hollye Dexter | Jul 27, 2018 | #tinystories, Dan Haggerty, dysfunctional family, family relationships, Grizzly Adams
The sound of motorcycles revving in the driveway meant that Uncle Dan was home, and with him came the entourage. One by one they pulled in, taking their place in Dan’s court. He’d sit in his King Louie throne in the living room, and maybe his pet owl...
by Hollye Dexter | May 13, 2012 | dysfunctional family, family, family estrangement, family relationships, healing family relationships, mother's day, mothers and daughters, surviving childhood trauma, The Courage to Heal
This is the only childhood photo I have of my mother and I together. Like this photo, our relationship is faded, tattered at the edges. Things happened in our family, horrible things, that not only burned the bridge between us, but blew it into a million sharp...
by Hollye Dexter | Mar 3, 2012 | family, family relationships, heartbreak, international marriage, Japanese American, marriage
Love is a risky business. If you’ve ever opened your heart to another person, chances are you’ve been hurt. I know this, and yet I knowingly take the risk again and again. I’ve had friends and family chide me for it- saying I’m reckless, saying I have to protect...
by Hollye Dexter | Oct 18, 2011 | family relationships, healing shame, Inner peace, Integrity, living authentically, Martha Beck, Oprah Winfrey, telling the truth
Ophelia’s art poster: http://www.zazzle.com/to_thine_own_self_be_true_poster-228306749335934814Yesterday I watched an online discussion between Martha Beck and Oprah, following Oprah’s life class entitled “The Truth Will Set You Free”. This of course was of...
by Hollye Dexter | Jun 29, 2010 | family relationships, hope through adversity, marriage, Wilson Phillips, writing, Yosemite
The jackhammers have stilled, the sewage hauled away, court date with the awful neighbors – behind us. Tearful goodbyes were said this morning with the Japanese mother-in-law, Evan started summer camp, and I was looking forward to finally restoring a normal...
by Hollye Dexter | May 24, 2010 | family relationships, friendship, gratitude, writing
When I was a little girl, one of my favorite moments of Fall was the sound of geese migrating. In the 1970s, the San Fernando Valley was clouded over with smog every day, (this was before EPA standards), so we were lucky to see so much as a squirrel. I could never see...