ron stempkowski

The Quiet Day

Posted on June 1, 2017July 12, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski

This June 1 isn’t particularly sad for me…the last few haven’t been, per se. They are thoughtful days. And they are quiet days–meaning, aside from work I’m not overly com... Read More

Widower No More

Posted on May 7, 2017July 12, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski

There was a time when I never thought I’d be doing what I was doing. Ever. But it was happening, and I didn’t have any emotional reaction to it. It was time. Five-and-half years later, I’d reach... Read More

Of New Beginnings

Posted on January 2, 2017July 12, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. Christmas approached, skulking around dubiously then receded like I’d never experienced before. I was happy to see it go. I was thril... Read More

A Letter to the Gay-Loving Trump Voter

Posted on November 21, 2016April 22, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski

So, you voted for Trump. And you claim to love someone who is gay. Well, here’s why you may not be hearing from them as much. You see, your vote for Trump really says this to a gay person: “You’... Read More

Home Is Where the Dead Hookers Are

Posted on November 3, 2016May 14, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski

My house never feels more like a home than when it’s brimming with people I love. Recently, my A-List (Retta, Kathy, Alan and Tina) had the opportunity to get together–for the first... Read More

The Birthday Tradition

Posted on September 24, 2016July 12, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski

I always approach the Creticos Cancer Center with great reverence. For all the caring work that is done there by the nurses and staff. And all the courage shown by the patients who are treated there, ... Read More

Connecting Purpose to Loss

Posted on September 21, 2016December 22, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

Why was I crying as I walked down the street, carrying a salad I’d picked up for lunch? No, not because I’m a moosh bag who sobs to any decently scored coffee commercial around the holida... Read More

Called On Account of Rain

Posted on August 19, 2016January 24, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski

As I’ve written before, I love to go camping—partly for its own sake but partly (probably mostly) because it was something Ken introduced me to. I’m not a deep woods camper, but a give me a beau... Read More

Ten Years or a Blink?

Posted on May 1, 2016July 12, 2017 by Ron Stempkowski

As soon as the calendar turns to January, June 1 has traditionally been a magnet for my attention and emotion since it became the day Ken died in 2011. But this year May 1 leapt out at me. And I was s... Read More

5 Years of “The Xanax Diary”

Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by Ron Stempkowski

It seems like I’ve always had this blog; that it has always been here to engage me and calm me and focus me and distract me. But I haven’t. I’ve always written for those reasons, bu... Read More

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ron stempkowski

ron stempkowski

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

Category: Grief

The Quiet Day

Widower No More

Of New Beginnings

A Letter to the Gay-Loving Trump Voter

Home Is Where the Dead Hookers Are

The Birthday Tradition

Connecting Purpose to Loss

Called On Account of Rain

Ten Years or a Blink?

5 Years of “The Xanax Diary”