A December to Remember

Hello Dear Readers,

This month, I had the honor of attending a Poetry Jam with the 4th graders at Thoreau

Elementary School in Madison, WI. It’s a return visit for me and I always enjoy the

event. I shared some of my story and poetry from my new book, Shadow Work, and

then listened to students from three classes read their original poems. It’s a big deal to

read a poem out loud to your classmates and I never take this for granted. The students

and teachers spend so much time on this – what a privilege to be a part of their day.

When I visited last year, I became interested in a wooden sculpture that resides in the library. I obtained the history of the sculpture and wrote a poem about it. The poem didn’t make the cut for the book, but I decided to read it to the group this year. It was well received and was even passed on to the artist’s family. Art connecting people and other art is magic! My heartfelt thanks to the staff and students at Thoreau and to Harry

Whitehorse for having a vision of how to take a dying tree and make it a sculpture that endlessly inspires others.

We are almost to the end of 2025. It has been rather wintery in Wisconsin this year with plenty of snow and cold temperatures.

Sometimes it’s hard to move through Winter as we’re supposed to get so much done for the holidays and end of year wrap-up activities at work but also slow down and reflect and nap (I love a good nap). I see many folks that truly enjoy the holidays with decorating, shopping, building gingerbread houses, making cookies and positioning their elf on a shelf. But there are others that struggle mightily with high anxiety during this time as they are missing their loved ones who also might have died during this season. Expectations vs. reality clash in a very painful way. I have had some really rough moments, certainly during the holidays, and the only way I can get through these times is to think “I can get through this hour” or “I just need to get through this day”. Compassion for those that are struggling is a learned muscle that I try to exercise when I can. For those struggling during this time (or in general), I hope that you find solace in knowing I see you and you’re meant to be in this world. You are loved. If you want proof, read my poems.

The last thing I want to touch on is my love of birds, especially hawks and eagles. I am

fortunate enough to see them regularly where I live. I may have mentioned I think hawks are my spirit animal. Last week, I was driving on a country road by my house and a hawk flew over my car for a couple of minutes. How cool is that?! Yesterday, I was on my way home and passed a river. I try to look for eagles and this time there were two, one on each side of the river, waiting for fish to pass by. I turned around and took a couple of photos, smiling at the chance I had to see these beautiful creatures on a wintery day. There’s probably a poem waiting to come out about this experience!

Thank you to all that have purchased my books this year! Your support means everything. I hope to see you at some events coming up in 2026!

Let’s chat soon.

With affection,

Carrie VS