Kristine E. Brickey

     Six years ago tonight, I went to sleep knowing my children were safe. Six years ago tonight was my final night of normal, of breathing deeply without pause, of sleeping without wishing for more. I had no way of knowing any of this at the time, of course; nonetheless, my life has taken on a new sense of normal in six years time.      Tomorrow marks the sixth year without my son's smile to greet me. Now, it is only in my dreams, memories and pictures that I glimpse his shining brown eyes and light up the room smile. It is still too much for me to watch my videos, delve into the scenes of my young, chubby faced son, hear his giggles and see him teasing his sister, my daughter, who misses him as close to my loss as anyone else can come.      For a number of reasons, or perhaps for no reason at all, this year has seemed harder than others without my Robbie. They are all hard, heartbreaking, terrible to bear...yet, the past six weeks have wr...

     Today, one week away from another year. Will the six year mark be harder, easier, or different in some measurable way from the last five death-iversary dates? Perhaps I will be swooped by hawks, covered in double rainbows, swarmed by beautiful butterflies, and see #34 in new and unusual places. Perhaps there will be none of those things, but Robbie will still be with me despite being gone.      Recently at Mason's Spring Fling, I was moving past a table when I noticed my novel, They Said She Was Crazy , on a table next to a sign that said 'Books that I Recommend.' Obviously, I stopped, commented, and took a picture. 'ORACLE' the booth stated, and when I looked closer noticed a woman in the midst of reading another woman's cards. She was familiar, but not well known to me.      As my brain searched for the connection, she looked up, smiled at me and said: "Oh! You! I knew I was going to see you here today! Robbie told me I would be ...

A

     Today has been one of those days where I feel tears threatening at the strangest times. Sitting in my classroom, one of my sweet eighth grade girls is falling apart, asks to sit out awhile. Checking in a bit later, I just hold her hand, let her know that her feelings count, her reactions are real and necessary. She returns part way through class, smiles at me on her way back to 'normal', our secret safe between us.      That's the thing with loss and sadness and living past despair that wants to eat you alive and tear you apart. It's always hovering, breathing hot steamy moments into a day that seems harmless to anyone nearby.     Maybe it was that girl's need that sparked my own memories. Maybe it was the email from a stranger, sharing a connection with not being able to visit her stepfather's gravesite. Maybe it was the sunshine that my Robbie loved to soak up from his vantage point on the garage rooftop. Maybe, just maybe it was nothing....

     When Curt Smith contacted me about writing an article I was thrilled. After an hour interview, I was still excited but also worried. Emotions were brought up, roiling around inside me again after talking to Mr. Smith about my beautiful Robbie.          However, today the article showed up online, and I am so glad that I toughed it out and followed through with this opportunity. As I stood in line at Starbuck's, I read the piece, cried as I remembered, sobbed at what my friend, Tammy had shared, and smiled as I finished. Hard. Tough. Important. Someone will pause. Someone will understand. Someone will be angered, but that's because they're not ready, not there yet, too raw or hurt or in denial. Link to LSJ article: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/community/2016/03/21/mason-book-suicide/81808192/      It's only been a few hours, I'm still in Detroit participating at MRA 2016 at Cobo, and I've received nu...

Haven't read Flowers for Rodney yet? Check out this review and then head to Amazon.com to buy your copy today! WHEWWWW !!!!!!!!! I just finished reading this really good book called "Flowers for Rodney" by a local author (and friend of Bikers for Books),  Kristine Bricke y . This is a great book that covers many struggles that our youth face on a daily basis. I had some very real moments while reading this books that had me reflecting on my own life at that age. Seems like these days, the pressures and stress are bigger and more pronounced than the 80's or 90's. Kids these days have to be a little more resourceful and brave to "just make it", anymore. The secret is......it's never too late to make a change, never too late to ask for help, never too late to turn yourself around, just like Rodney does in this book. Struggles inside the home are as tough as struggles in society. I have to admit that this book had me choked up toward the end. De...

In order to give readers an idea of what to expect with my newest novel, They Said She Was Crazy , I'll be posting reactions and feedback from some of my readers here. You can also check out reviews on my Amazon, Goodreads, and Facebook pages. Enjoy! Marcie, WY (reprinted with permission as sent to Trina Campbell)      I finished that book last night about 11:15. It was so touching. I can so relate in so many ways. I cried through most of it and I laughed and smiled though parts of it and the ending blew me away.      I would so recommend this book to anyone who has ever lost loved ones. I cannot thank you enough for thinking of me and sending this book to me... ...the book touched me and honestly I don't know how to explain it. Thank you James Bowens, MI (A nonreader aside from both of my books-his police office son, Matt, was killed in the line of duty over ten years ago)       I just finished your book. ( They Sai...