I’ve had a number of folks recently tell me they’re worried about me because they think I’m “stuck” in trauma because I talk about it. http://fendruadin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/talk-about-trauma.mp3 Description: Audio of this article, as read by the author Here’s the truth. I talk about my trauma because that is part of how I heal it. Stories are …
A couple days ago, in a business meeting, a friend and colleague complimented my sense of style. It was a warm moment, and I appreciated it. When he, joking, asked me for the name of my fashion designer, I wish I’d had the presence of mind to suggest the design academy where I studied. In …
He had a light brown beard and was wearing a flannel shirt over a t-shirt. Blue jeans. A little pudge over the top of his belt. White. I stopped the car and let him cross in front of me, feeling suddenly an immense compassion arising from my gut. He waved gratitude, walked on. I’ve never …
CW: Graphic descriptions of women’s bodies and sickness. Also, mention of child sexual abuse. I was going to write you a lovely, holiday-y post about the newborn sun and the return of the light, but then I spent the afternoon in a scaldingly hot tub of bloody water, throwing up over the side onto the …
It’s an alder. In the photo. This is a long story. I foolishly composed it on my phone in a fit of sudden need to get it all down. Well, here it is. My name is Fen. I have known this for much longer than I have lived it. The name came to me in …
Someone I follow on Facebook recently posted a link to an article about tree communication, and how humans can learn to understand it. I commented, “This is not news to any of the indigenous cultures who live closely with nature. In the words of the Seneca, the language is called Hail-lo-way-ain… and we all speak it. …
Hey Fen, Does a water molecule have a soul? What about a glass of water? Does a river have one too? Are they the same soul or different souls? Sincerely, A Human Dear Human, Yes. Sincerely, Fen P.S. I suppose you were hoping for more than that? Very well then.Here is a story. Two years …
When Glennon Doyle announced her engagement to Abby Wombach, I had a reaction that I am not proud of. I thought, “What the fuck?” I mean, I was happy for her, don’t get me wrong. But it also felt WEIRD. Elizabeth Gilbert had made a similar announcement not too long before. We’d watched both of …
Hey Fen, Why’d you change your name? And why “Fen”? Sincerely, So Many People Dear So Many People, Short version, I’m a serpent (a wingèd one) shedding old skin. Or a butterfly emerging, if you prefer less reptilian analogies (I don’t, but whatever). Long version, my old name, “Heather” has never fit. All my life …
Have you ever had really great sex? Like, the sort where you and your partner(s?) are just completely connected and in the moment? Where your attention is so focused on each other that you notice every detail. Each sigh. Each shiver. Where your hands and lips and body move just exactly to the right place …