I still have moments where I think to myself, “Hey, I should pick up the phone and call Mom and tell her about this!” And, then…I remember that I can’t. It still makes me sad.

For me, the sharp edges of my grief have worn down to softer ones, but I still miss my Mom very much. I remember many of our good times together. It helps me to remember the good times because the bad ones (her final days) can be very haunting, I was blessed to have a wonderful Mom for as long as I did. I will pray for you and your family.

The school where I work asked me to take over the newspaper despite my having never taken a journalism course in my life. I’m lucky to be married into a newspaper family. I’ve been getting a lot of help from them.

I suck at grammar. That is a fact. I have to diligently check my grammar, and oftentimes I miss a lot. Please don’t go all grammar gestapo on my blog.

If you do consider the MFA, do a lot of research on your program. Some programs are very literature heavy and some are more writer development heavy. Do your research.

1. I feel your [authentic] voice in this post.
2. Never skimp on grammar, unless on purpose and in the name of voice: “I am pleased to announce that the paper was a success, despite my amateur knowledge of journalism and inexperience, as well as a lack of support from the administration.”

Your amateur knowledge of inexperience confuses and concerns me. *grin*

I am beginning a cursory inquest into MFAs, and I expect to read much of your blog. I won’t clutter your inbox with conjunction-corrections though.