Category: humor
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Is that my phone in your pocket?
On what we didn’t know would be our last wedding anniversary, my late husband, Ramón, and I went out to dinner before heading to a comedy show. As we finished eating, Ramón realized his phone was missing. “I think the guy at that table has it,” I told him as I gestured to a family…
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Did Ashton Kutcher Get Punk’d?
“I wish I could give Ashton Kutcher an update,” I sometimes think. I wanted him to know when I started performing improv.And when I got married.And when I started writing a book.And when I was widowed. I mostly wanted him to know I was alive — but not in the way preteens long for their…
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The Solar Saga: Reflecting on my goals for the year
Remember how I set the intentions to be more Simple + Deliberate this year? If not, you’re already caught up to speed. Since it’s nearing the end of February, it seems like a good time to give an update — in the form of a story. I was returning home from a walk one afternoon…
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![Rain, rain, you can stay [a while]](https://drewdotson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_1048.jpg)
Rain, rain, you can stay [a while]
Nothing quite brings me to life like the feeling before a thunderstorm — as the wind picks up and electricity builds in the air. I’ve always been drawn to rain. I loved storms as a child. When it looked like rain, I didn’t want to go inside; I wanted to go outside and immerse myself…
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OMGlennon
I am here with a proclamation: I became one of Glennon Doyle’s biggest fans over the past 24 hours. I first heard her name a month after Ramón died. I visited a good friend, Alyssa, for coffee, and we were waxing philosophical—or trying, at least. Alyssa referenced a quote about pain Glennon recently posted online…
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![[updated] Yes, I want a Fanta (Fanta). tears](https://drewdotson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/031aef_fc16b300854b40baa4b321f62126e5f6mv2.jpg)
[updated] Yes, I want a Fanta (Fanta). tears
The original post has been updated below. It’s no secret that I write a lot about grief — it’s been a significant part of my life. Today, I’m writing about a different kind of grief. In fact, a part of me is ashamed to even acknowledge it, but here goes. A few months ago, I…
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Down here on earth
I cut my left hand this morning. It was nothing serious, but it warranted the use of antiseptic spray. As I got the bottle out of the bathroom drawer, a memory came to me. I could recall the exact moment Ramón and I purchased that spray a decade ago. (That means I’m sure it’s expired,…
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Profess yo’self
Semester. There was a time I used that word frequently, but it faded into oblivion until the past several months. Before you think I’m going back to school, I’m not (though, dang, was I an amazing test taker). This semester I’ve gone back to college in a different way—as a visiting scholar. Basically, a visiting…
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What if my dog’s penis lands me a publisher?
“What if my dog’s penis lands me a publisher?” That thought had never crossed my mind—or anyone’s, I’d guess—until this week. Last weekend, while I vacationed to Asheville, the dogs took a trip to daycare. After returning to town Sunday and picking them up, I noticed that Benny, the little guy, had a swollen penis,…
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A-O-K
Several days ago, I hopped in my car to head to an appointment, and my Pandora app automatically connected to the car’s audio. I fumbled for my phone, realizing it was still on Upbeat Indie Radio. I wasn’t exactly feeling upbeat and instead wanted something a bit more gently-aggressive-early-2000s-ish, like Jimmy Eat World Radio. But…
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A decade later and I’m still dancing
Ten years ago today, Ramón came to an improv show and was apparently smitten enough to send a friend request on Facebook. I accepted it because he was attractive, plain and simple. He loved to claim that I made the first move by messaging him, but that was after he looked up my name on…
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FUN! WAS HAD
Friday night at around 7:30, I ventured out of the house to attend a wine stroll. I did, in fact, wine and stroll, and it was so much fun! I recently saw another fellow cancer despiser post online about a podcast episode titled ”FUN: What the hell is it and why do we need it?”…
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Whether the weather is cold
Last night I was texting with one of my friends who is also a widow. (Will saying that ever feel normal?) She was having a rough day on the grief front and felt like she was regressing rather than taking baby steps to slowly feel whole again. Her emotions had been further compounded because she…
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Paint me surprised
On my birthday in 2013, Ramón and I went to a place where we drank wine and painted. For the next several years, Ramón insisted that his painting was better than mine, despite the fact that I’ve never seen a hibiscus with roaches for leaves. We kept them on display (Don’t ask why.) and requested…
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Day +100: Now we’re here
Holy Day +100 since Ramón’s transplant! Exactly 100 days ago, on April 10, Ramón received his stem cell transplant. From 11:25 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. ET, we quietly watched YuSun’s stem cells slowly assume residence in Ramón’s body, ready to evict his leukemia once and for all. I’d heard about the coveted Day +100, and…