Gratitude – Page 2 – ron stempkowski

Remembering the Beginning

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Ron Stempkowski

I woke up yesterday morning to what was the twelfth anniversary of when I met Ken–when my life changed direction in the subtlest yet most dramatic of ways. I knew it was coming but as it got clo... Read More

A Little Portlandia Weirdness Comes to the Windy City

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Ron Stempkowski

My friend Mindy came to town from Portland for a visit this past week. Though we talk and text regularly, I hadn’t seen her since she came to town to support me and attend Ken’s soiree in ... Read More

The Happy of the Holidaze

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

It’s difficult to believe it’s been three years since I’ve been to Southern California–specifically for Christmas. Even more difficult to believe: that it was a trip made without K... Read More

What a Difference a Year Makes

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

The way time has passed over the last year has never ceased to astound me. As I sit in the front yard playing with Kallie or watching her do her own Chow thing, it’s hard to not look around my q... Read More

Something There Is That Doesn't Love a Wall

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

Getting Kallie–though secretly long-considered–was an impulse decision that was somehow bigger than I. Though hesitant at first, something inside me knew it was the right decision. Yes, th... Read More

Remembering Pride

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

(Our first Pride Day together in 2001. Notice Ken’s (l) nail bling.) This week I watched “Out & Proud in Chicago” on WTTW, our local PBS station. It was riveting. I always love a... Read More

Whispers of Birthdays Past

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

Within my families June is a busy birthday month. Yet I constantly forget it also contains mine until someone reminds me. Not as surprising, the same thing happened last year–as my birthday will... Read More

Marking a Weighty Occasion

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of Ken’s death. In so many ways it’s impossible to fathom. I can still picture him and our life together. How can this be? So often in the interve... Read More

The Bravest Thing I've Ever Done

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

Since writing about our last adventure together, I’ve thought a lot about all the ones Ken and I shared that came before. Particularly, I was reminded of the bold decision we made in packing up ... Read More

The Great PadLo Caper

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski

A creature of nostalgia, I can’t help but call out today as another special anniversary in my mind and my heart. As mentioned in an earlier blog, last May the instant Ken saw Katie’s PadLo... Read More

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