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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: Life

Hopping Off the Hamster Wheel

Hopping Off the Hamster Wheel

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
At a month away, June 1 is a daunting and solemn date for me and for anyone who loved Ken. It’s the date he left us after such a valiant and graceful fight. Maybe someday it will be easier to &#... Read More
Shiny, (Truly) Happy People

Shiny, (Truly) Happy People

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
(A rare paparazzi shot, catching vintage badasses Denise and Ron (circa 1990) arriving “on the scene.”) I read a blurb recently about a study conducted on a group of “truly happyR... Read More
Reflections on Two Years Ago…

Reflections on Two Years Ago…

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
I couldn’t believe when I looked at the calendar this week and realized I’d completely missed the anniversary of Ken’s hemipelvectomy surgery. And more than that, I can’t belie... Read More
Keeping My Head Low @ CVS (and Other Lessons Learned)

Keeping My Head Low @ CVS (and Other Lessons Learned)

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
I have the good fortune and good genes to not be sick very often. This week I got sick. Just a cold. But a bad one for a big baby who who hasn’t been sick since before Ken was rediagnosed with c... Read More
Turning the Shiny Page

Turning the Shiny Page

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Ron Stempkowski
Like any story worth investing in–the kind that can sweep you up into its enthralling grip–turning the page is the only way to find out where the story leads, taking with you the sum of th... Read More
Taking Down Summer

Taking Down Summer

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Ron Stempkowski
Today was another gift from Mother Nature. It was clear, sunny and warm–particularly for late October. I made a list of the tasks I wanted to complete today during the course of the week on the ... Read More
Dinner with a Friend

Dinner with a Friend

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Ron Stempkowski
I received an email last week from Kathy Buckley. She is a stand-up comedienne and motivational speaker, and she was someone Ken loved very much. They met in 2004 when we lived in Los Angeles at a Dis... Read More
As The Birthday Approaches

As The Birthday Approaches

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Ron Stempkowski
It’s impossible to no think of Ken…period. But as his September 21 birthday approaches, he’s on my mind more and more. It’s not all sad, in fact, thinking about this weekend one ye... Read More
Visiting Old Friends–the Good, the Sad and the Memories

Visiting Old Friends–the Good, the Sad and the Memories

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Ron Stempkowski
Last week I decided to bake some cupcakes and take them to the staff at Creticos Cancer Center, where Ken received his treatments and we were constantly as dazzled by the tenderness and humor we found... Read More
A Generous and Welcome Gift

A Generous and Welcome Gift

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Ron Stempkowski
As I’ve written before since Ken died, “firsts” are difficult–both figuratively and literally. It was June 1st when Ken left us. Today marks the three month anniversary of losi... 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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