Karie Kermath

Like most cars, mine comes fully equipped with an assortment of mirrors that all play a role in keeping me safe. Shhh, don’t tell the other two, but I have a favorite. The right mirror with its handy warning—Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear—reminds me that something unexpected might pop into view, and I need to be ready in case does. You know how you check your mirrors only…

Change is coming. I can feel it in the air. I can feel it in my bones. There’s something magical about those first indications that spring is about to wrestle the baton from winter’s grasp, leading us all on a merry romp away from a grayscale existence and back into the warm exuberance of a technicolor world. But today, as happy as they make me, I’m not going to talk about the first blooms or…

After waiting 23 long years to see a snowflake fall from the sky, warm winters are not my thing. My lifetime snow quota has yet to be met. I greet snow days with glee. So you can imagine my disappointment that temps have stayed well above freezing this winter. We’ve had rain – lots and lots of rain. But it’s been a no go on any form of wintery weather. Until now, my friends. Until now. We’ve got…

Those of you who know me personally might think that today’s title is a reference to my recent birthday. It isn’t. Although I do find it amusing that the word “gold” ends with the world “old”… Today, let’s start with pre-crime me. The me who sported some dents and dings but had not yet shattered. Most of the time, I don’t remember what that me was like. And then, I’m doing some random thing –…

This is not a post I wanted to write. It’s not that the topic is unworthy. It’s one of the most important topics I can imagine. But I knew it was going to hurt like hell to get the words out of my head. So I procrastinated. And I avoided. This is hard. But I can’t put it off any longer. Last month, six days apart, two people I know chose to take their own lives. My heart aches. And I am not…

I just had the best dream I’ve ever had. I was flying.

I know it’s not unusual – people have flight dreams all the time. But not me. Instead, I have crazy ass dreams that unfold like blockbuster Hollywood movies, complete with large casts, scene changes, and full-on plots. I’m talking dreams that require a costume department and breaks for lunch. Sometimes I have to solve a mystery or diffuse…

Two days in May

The two days I loathe the most are coming and I can’t do anything to stop them.

Ten days ago, braced for impact, I forced myself to stare at a fresh calendar page. I was pushing back against one of my triggers. Since that horrible day in 2016, seeing the word “May” generally kicks off a racing heart and sweaty palms. Hours later, it can bring on intrusive memories that pierce my sleep,…

I’ve started calling my pets my co-workers and my son my new personal assistant. I’m sure I’m not the only one. In my attempt to keep Mr. C on track and off the computer as much as possible, I’m assigning him all sorts of bizarre tasks while I work at our dining room table. I’m sure he *sprinkle sarcasm liberally* lovesmy requests to do things like fold the laundry or rip the extra cardboard in…

International Women’s Day 2020

It’s International Women’s Day!

There are so many amazing women to celebrate today – I decided to focus on the core team of women who first had my back. This is my mom at her baby shower. Technically, I’m in there too, hiding out just behind the flowers. She’s flanked by her mom (l) and my dad’s mom (r). Together, these three women demonstrated the value of love, laughter, kindness, empathy,…

I believe you.

There are so many of you. One would be too many, but there are millions – even billions.

It is not your fault. It is not your shame. And you do not have to remain silent.

I have always been a writer. Whether or not I’m any good is up to you, but for a long time the possible judgment of others hobbled my abilities. An acute fear of humiliation and criticism kept me from pursuing my passion in any sort of public way. Obviously, that ship has freaking sailed.

Funny, isn’t it? For most of my life, I avoided sharing my writing so that it and, in some twisted way in…

Living with PTSD is a struggle, but recovery requires a substantial amount of energy that, due to your symptoms, you may not have on tap to expend. At times, you’re stuck in place, consumed by symptoms flaring up so hot and high that your inner light is nothing more than an insignificant spark consumed by the firestorm. When this happens, taking a single step towards healing can feel impossible.…

A few days ago, a woman in a social media PTSD group I’m in posted about a close friend who was suicidal – their story was one of those things that really reaches into your soul and grabs you.

Long story short – her husband died in a freak recreational accident and the suicidal guy was with him and witnessed the tragedy, developed PTSD (as did she), and was now so traumatized that he felt he…

Deep end of the pool

One day when I was young, I was sprawled on our living room sofa so absorbed in a book that I didn’t notice my mom and a neighbor join me in the room. When I tuned back into my surroundings, there they were, sitting nearby and chatting away. Let me tell you, people, my reality was shook. How long had they been there and how the heck hadn’t I noticed?

This moment is etched in my memory as the…