Stephanie Marley McMechan
Bio
I am a freelance writer and blogger who occasionally writes poetry in between ghostwriting content for brands. Former English teachers often become creative artists. I am one of them.
Stories (9)
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A Wound Far From Closure
This is equally a love letter to my mother during her Sagittarius season and on her birthday as it is a letter to others to keep the memories of those we have lost present. In grief, I have learned how to internalize those random pieces, these truly glorious parts of my upbringing. Of my parents' authenticity. Things I should never forget. For my mother (and father), I will live in a way that honors and inspires others to remember those who are only gone in form, never in spirit.
By Stephanie Marley McMechan3 years ago in Families
One Year Without Mom
I lost everything in an instant, and it reshaped my life. This is an anniversary I was not prepared to acknowledge, nor will I ever be. The cold silence of the concrete stone of the ages that is your loss. I learned how to love by following your pattern. I lost you a year ago today, on October 26, 2021. I wish that we had a head start, some warning signs. A head start to treatment (before Stage 3 of an aggressive breast cancer), better doctors, and a fair chance for survival. More than what was given to you under the circumstances that reared their ugly head. Your presence steadied me, and acted as a safety net in a world of uncertainty. No one is prepared to close the door on a chapter of their existence. And I cannot leave you behind. You were too sweet for this world and the suffering you endured the final 10 months of your life. I wanted to be here to take accountability and be your voice in case you lost yours. I wanted to make certain that you did not have to stumble in the darkness alone, but be the bridge to make a safe path. The silence cuts through like the winds of the Arctic. Still, cold, lonely. And I have never heard such a deafening sound as the one when the phone doesn't ring anymore. Your sweet, soft, semi-low voice on the other end. You would chat with me for hours, always beginning with the wild and wacky current events of the world, local happenings, politics. I never tired of your calls. Your bubbly personality was infectious. And wry wit at times sharp, often calling out the nonsense and folly. And I listened to your hearty laugh and searing, yet good-natured sense of humor. And we would find ourselves hours in, sharing laughs, meal planning, secrets, and making memories.
By Stephanie Marley McMechan3 years ago in Families
Let's Do It For Mom
There was never I time I thought that I would find myself in a global pandemic holding my frail and fragile mother's hand, preparing to say goodbye. Or actually never being able to come to terms with what 2021, another banner year for confusion and loss, had in store for us. When you thought that life's crisscrosses were a little more navigable, always expect the unexpected. My family is an Autism family. I am the mom of a young man on the Spectrum. He needs extra assistance with daily tasks and self care. He is soft spoken, quietly confident yet sheepishly timid, seldom assertive but able to squeeze his way into a comfort zone in this crazy, very demanding world. There are times that he goes deep within himself and I have to fish him out. But we all have our days. You become their whisperer and look for clues to help in their search for self awareness. I have often struggled with how his adult life would look, based on the status quo. But honestly, that was not an internal debate that I allowed to take over our lives. Instead, as a Leo, I lead with love and allow those chips to fall. I have found myself being the poster cheerleader for hope and faith beyond expectations. I have zero expectations beyond finding happiness, which in itself will lead us to a true gladness. Then, the light will come on. Our purpose can be reached there. Illumination is the process of coming out of the perpetual darkness. I won't let this light go out without a fight.
By Stephanie Marley McMechan4 years ago in Families
Excuse Me for a Minute...
Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. Could I have your attention, please? Thank you. I apologize for interrupting your dinners, but if you could give me a moment. As we have come into the restaurant and are about to sit at a table near you, I just wanted to introduce you to the three of us. Myself, my husband and our adult son, Tyler. He is the center of our world and perhaps you’d say our best representation of being human. He makes us look good and truly is my life’s passion.
By Stephanie Marley McMechan5 years ago in Humans
Before the photobomb...
I was somewhere outside of the tweens and into the teens. This is the '90s. I always felt a little different from my peer group in ways that seemed to define my upbringing. Skewing towards shy and sometimes finding comfort in looking at my shoes instead of someone's eyes, I was the girl next door with more nerdy tendencies than popularity votes. The one who would have to find ways to fall in love with who I am without the other loud resounding voices giving me a reason to. This little story is not about one distinct time that I found myself in a position of being not so accepted. But it speaks of being someone who tried so often to shove round pegs into a square hole inside myself. Or just being way too aware that I was sticking out in the crowd. And how to accept that quirky you without breaking into pieces and falling apart before becoming the person you were meant to be.
By Stephanie Marley McMechan5 years ago in Humans
