Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

Red River Valley, for Dad on his birthday

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Such a sad song When I was a little girl, I asked my late father to tell me his favorite song..."the most beautiful song you ever heard." He thought a minute. “I guess it’d have to be ‘Red River Valley.’” His answer stumped me. It was such a sad song. Why would your favorite be one that made you feel sad? He wasn't one to listen to the radio or records. In fact, the bigger surprise may … [Read more...]

Talking with myself

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Weird habit or normal? I confess: I replay or create conversations aloud. I expound. I pontificate. I argue. I talk in the bathroom. I talk when folding laundry. I talk when walking the dogs. I practice for an upcoming doctor's appointment, a phone call, an argument. I have talked aloud ever since I can remember. Over the years, I've managed to rein it in, but more times than I care to … [Read more...]

Will you be missing a loved one this holiday?

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Experiencing loss vs grieving Working through grief is a process that may take years. Don't worry that it's taking too long. Many times we think we've moved past mourning a loved one only to find later, years later, that we haven't when we burst into tears while picking out oranges at Kroger. Here are two perspectives that helped me look at grief more openly, even 10 years after losing my … [Read more...]

How to Find Calm after Trauma

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Cheri's recovery process My friend and fellow poet has been working on acute anxiety and trauma recovery by painting colorful watercolor birds and boldly posting her work on Facebook. The images intrigued me because, in my experience, watercolor is not an easy medium. It does not forgive. There are no do-overs. So how did this help anxiety? For Cheri, however, that's exactly the point. I … [Read more...]

The Little Pill and Deanna’s Big Story to Tell

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You know the TV commercial... And it probably annoys the heck out of you because after you hear it, the tune plays in your head on endless repeat. I bet you could sing it in your sleep. That's the power of a good jingle. Whenever the Jardiance ad aired, I looked away. If I couldn't mute the TV, I stuck my fingers in my ears and said "nanananana." I asked my husband "Look at her! Who IS this … [Read more...]