I am a writer and a mom faced with challenges and triumphs not unlike those of many other women. But, while I’m every woman, I have had to face the fact that I am vastly different as well.

As a Jewish, divorced, single mother who’s still carrying the baby weight from my last pregnancy (12 years ago) I’m attempting to thrive in a small and very married Midwestern suburb. I’m hundreds of miles from my East Coast roots, and not very close to good shopping either. I left the financial security of a career and the comfort of family behind just about 17 years ago. I have been coming to forks in the road ever since.

Just when I was hitting my stride in the brave new world of co-parenting, and enjoying every-other weekend without kids or dogs, my son and daughter’s father died. I found myself with grieving children, unconventional extended family, an intimate relationship with probate court, but no time for internet dating.

I’m looking at the world from a viewpoint I never expected to have. And although I’m not sure I’d choose it (who would?) I have learned life lessons and gained some unmatched perspective. It all makes me both annoyed and grateful in the same day, sometimes in the same moment. Yep, it makes me dizzy!

This blog serves three important purposes for me. First it allows me to hone the craft I love. Second it allows me to connect with mothers, readers, writers, women, men — adults — anywhere in cyberspace. It also gives me something really fun to do instead of doing laundry.

For both of those amazing opportunities, and all their separate and combined possibilities, I am grateful.