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ron stempkowski

  • the xanax diary
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • the ronaissance
  • my faves
  • second city
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • media
  • travel
    • Costa Rica (June 2018)
    • Iceland (March 2020)

ron stempkowski

love, loss, healing, and humor…in no particular order

  • the xanax diary
  • about ron
    • about ken
  • awards
    • Mountain Climbing for Beginners
  • the ronaissance
  • my faves
  • second city
  • publication
    • Extraordinary Healers Vol. 7
  • media
  • travel
    • Costa Rica (June 2018)
    • Iceland (March 2020)

Category: Grief

The Soundtrack of Memories

The Soundtrack of Memories

Posted on June 1, 2023June 1, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski
There are times when I’m driving or walking or showering when I ask Siri to “play music I like.” He misses the mark more than he hits it. So when he nails it, it feels soooo good! Mo... Read More
Walking in the Present

Walking in the Present

Posted on May 2, 2023May 19, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski
I spent a lot less time outside this winter. Without my winter-loving Mongolian snow beast, there was no reason to suit up (or boot up) and play in the snow. Though we didn’t get much snow this ... Read More
Retreating

Retreating

Posted on April 25, 2023May 19, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski
I renewed a commitment to myself this year. I took some time and intention to remind myself that I’m a writer. And writers are writers because they write. So, I’ve worked to build a content calend... Read More
A Night to Remember

A Night to Remember

Posted on April 18, 2023April 18, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski
Since saying goodbye to my sweet puppy girl in December, she, Ken, and Quantum have been on my mind even more than usual. Though Ken and Quantum never met Kallie, they are intimately connected to each... Read More
Grateful for the Tribe

Grateful for the Tribe

Posted on April 11, 2023May 19, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski
Looking back over my life, I realize I’ve always been someone who looks to find “my people,” those who I feel organically connected to in some way–great or small. And those I&#... Read More
Enchanted Ravenswood

Enchanted Ravenswood

Posted on April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski
I loved living in Ravenswood, a neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. Even the name was evocative of some kind of old-timey place rife with history and magic. I lived in a giant one-bedroom apart... Read More
The Puppy Who Saved Me

The Puppy Who Saved Me

Posted on December 11, 2022May 29, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski
Getting a puppy is a big step. For anyone. Getting Kallie was an even bigger step for me. Because bringing her into my life was the first big step I took toward moving forward after Ken’s death. The... Read More
In the Groove

In the Groove

Posted on June 1, 2022June 1, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski
The older I get, the harder it is to mourn a life I didn’t have. -Me, today June 1, 2011 was also a Wednesday. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t checked the calendar just now. As I s... Read More
In the Beginning...

In the Beginning…

Posted on February 21, 2022February 22, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski
As someone who spends a lot of time in front of his computer, I was so pleasantly surprised to run across some really old pre-iPhone pix I snapped of Ken and me. The one above is dated 28 days after w... Read More
Lost and Found

Lost and Found

Posted on June 1, 2021May 14, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski
Dear Ken, I’ve thought about this day for a long time: what would feel like to have lost you for as long as I had you—just 10 years. How much would it hurt? And what would it mean? Anything? Every... Read More
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Ron Stempkowski

Ron Stempkowski

I'm an award-winning essayist and audience-focused word ninja living in Chicago. I have a passion for storytelling with words and images/videos.

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