Author: joannaalizio

Henry, you should have been there.Well, you were, but I mean today, specifically. I thought of you as I passed slowly by the replica of the tiny cabin where you escaped a society that didn’t suit you. Can I admit to you that I’m not sure it suits me either? I wish I could ask… Continue reading Walden Pond

Last week at dinner as my ten year old son sat across the table from me, I noticed him studying my face—the way he does when he’s trying to figure me out. He was born wise and is a person who truly sees me. He’s like a super hero whose super power is x-ray vision… Continue reading X-ray vision

“Strength in numbers,” they say.Numbers are sometimes what I require.An outstretched hand, a kind look, company. Today I needed me…to be brave.I peeked out from the shade of the cloud I’m sitting under—the one that follows me incessantly.I let the sun graze my handsjust to see how it felt, but just for a few moments.… Continue reading How to stay in the sun

Today I was joking around with one of the dads at the school bus stop. I saw him coming down the road and as soon as he was within earshot I said, “How you doing? New year, new you?”. He’s chatted with me enough times at this point to immediately know I’m completely full of… Continue reading New year, new you

What happens when a woman finally stops being selfless?What’s possible when she prioritizes herself?What if she stops believing what she’s been told by society will make her truly happy? I’m stopping on this wild and stormy day in December for the first time in my life.I choose to listen deeply to myself to answer these… Continue reading Claw machine

Alba: “Can I take pictures with your phone?”Me: “No, but you can use my good camera instead. You just have to promise me you’ll be really careful.”Alba: “Ok, I’ll be super careful.” Alba then wanders around the house on her own for the first time ever with my Canon EOS 70D after receiving a one-minute… Continue reading Photographer

I wish I were a live wireAnyone who dared come close enough to me I’d wreak havoc onReady to strike on a moment’s notice. I used to carry my own spark, keeping it glowing and ready to show me the path through my darkness. Now the spark is fading, barely noticeable. I’m raw—not the pretending… Continue reading Raw

I’m not perfect, but I have integrity. I shared a home and beautiful children with someone who I believed when he told me he was sorry and would do everything in his power to not hurt me. Again. Maybe it’s naivety, but I believe the words people tell me, especially from someone who convinced me… Continue reading Integrity

For reasons I’ll never in my life understand, my five year old daughter sat at the breakfast table with me this morning and pointed at my high school 20th reunion sticker on the fridge that says “Joanna Carmona” and said to me “that’s not your last name.” She was upset. She said I needed to… Continue reading Third time’s a charm

Querida Honduras, Veo que lees mi blog todos los días.¿Qué buscas?Él es tuyo. No te preocupes.No lo quiero. He seguido adelante. He dejado un pedazo de mi corazón en Nueva York.  Joanna