I dedicate this piece to everyone who has lost a mother. I see you. One of the by-products of losing your mom too soon is a hunger. A hunger for what should have been. A hunger for what could have been. A hunger to simply pick up the phone to call her. A hunger for her recipes and ironing sheets and houseplant skills. A hunger to know more—more of her, more of who I was Continue Reading
Who is Ryan?
I shared this one year ago on social media and thought since once again it is DAY 1 of PWS (Prader-Willi syndrome) Awareness Month, I would share here. They stopped me in my tracks.Her words. About her son with autism.“I just want to allow him the chance to become who he is...”In almost 16 years, I have never thought of this. I have never dreamed of this. I have never pondered this. I have Continue Reading
LESSONS FROM MAKING TWICE-BAKED POTATOES…ON EASTER 2020
About once or twice a year, I embark on making twice-baked potatoes. My family does not really looove potatoes, but they do like TBP’s. Maybe it’s because it is a recipe my beloved mother-in-law, Sally, used to make. Perhaps they can feel her love come through on some deep subconscious level. You would think that during this pandemic with crazy grocery store habits and changes, I would have Continue Reading
In Between the Blog Posts
Hi! My name is Jessica Patay and I am a delinquent, infrequent blogger. In fact, I almost took it down from my Instagram profile because if I don’t blog for over a year (or more!) do I still have the audacity to call myself a Blogger? After NOT posting for 20 months, I sat down to write my thoughts on this quarantine and the massive impact on special needs families. (And, of Continue Reading
Isolation on Steroids: The COVID-19 Quarantine & Special Needs
Imagine you are the captain of a sports team. The season started off rusty, but you led, you communicated, you encouraged, you appreciated each team member. You worked together better and better and you had a good rhythm. You were interdependent in a positive and successful way. You achieved milestones and victories!! You celebrated! And now, it is the playoffs. As the captain, you are Continue Reading
I Always Think About Those Moms
With Mothers’ Day approaching fast, my heart beats fast for THOSE moms. You know. THOSE moms. The ones who don’t really get a Mother's Day celebration. The ones who never-ever get a mommy break. They don’t even know what that means. The ones who live across the world and hide with their children so as not to be kidnapped, raped, or sold into sex slavery. The ones who live on the Continue Reading