It has been thirteen months since my wife died. I have been suffering different stages of grief for most of that time. Then about three weeks ago, a switch flipped within me. It became apparent that I would keep waking up each morning so I might as well try to join the living once more. I kind of went crazy. I…
Author: Joe Merkle
Her Most Prized Possession
The key It was Abbi’s tenth birthday party when she received the greatest gift of her life. Though she didn’t know it then. After she opened all of her presents she couldn’t help but notice her favorite person in the world did not give her a gift. Her Grandpa Joe. “Abbi. Come outside with me…
Trust And Love
They go hand in hand Which comes first? Love or trust? Can you love without first trusting the one you are sharing it with? Can you trust someone without first experiencing love on some level with said person? Or, are they simply the left and right hands of any feel-good human relationship? The vast majority…
Her Most Prized Possession
The key It was Abbi’s tenth birthday party when she received the greatest gift of her life. Though she didn’t know it then. After she opened all of her presents she couldn’t help but notice her favorite person in the world did not give her a gift. Her Grandpa Joe. “Abbi. Come outside with me…
I’m So Grateful For Lifelong Friends
Friendship Friendship is the ultimate form of loveSomeone you think the world ofA love connection between two soulsA bond written on sacred scrollsSomeone you think the world of Friendship is a love connectionDeeper than human affectionAlways there for you in the best of timesSaviors in your most trying timesWhile accepting all your imperfections Laughing, crying,…
Her Most Prized Possession
The key Photo by Konstantin Evdokimov on Unsplash It was Abbi’s tenth birthday party when she received the greatest gift of her life. Though she didn’t know it then. After she opened all of her presents she couldn’t help but notice her favorite person in the world did not give her a gift. Her Grandpa Joe. “Abbi. Come…
The Office Halloween Party
Never argue with the boss I hate fucking Halloween office parties. Or any office party. I will be just one more employee pretending to be having fun while Susan, the company owner, revels in false praise from her drunken underlings. Just a bunch of adults acting like six-year-olds. I take that back. Worse. At least the kids are…
A Promise Kept
A Promise Cherished There are promises. I promise I will be good today.I promise to pick you up on time.I promise to finish the laundry.I promise to quit smoking.I promise I will always be your best friend. And then there are PROMISES.December 18, 1976. On that cold December day in a suburb of Chicago, a…
Going Back Home
Ripping off the biggest bandaid Ten days from now I am heading to the Chicago area. Home. The place where the vast majority of my most treasured moments occurred. This is it. The BIG BANDAID I need to rip off. I have never been so conflicted in my life. I’m looking forward to seeing many loved ones. I…
The Day Before, The Day After
A sequel This article is a sequel to Going Back Home. The Day Before The day before I left for my trip home to Chicago I had grave reservations. I almost backed away from the trip, afraid to face what was surely going to be tough times. I would be constantly reminded of the person that…