A Lesson on Father’s Day

By: Gabriela Yareliz Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are often avoided by people who have experienced childhood trauma. Some people have experienced pain caused by one or both parents, so they distance themselves from the holiday and deeper yet, from the person it celebrates. Father’s Day isn’t a holiday I like to embrace. Sometimes, itContinue reading “A Lesson on Father’s Day”

An Uncomfortable Topic

By: Gabriela Yareliz A scene keeps playing over and over again, in my head. Summer of 2009, I visited France and did a stage with the French government. We were living in a small French mariner village. I gathered with young people from around the world (whom I love— friends for life), and what weContinue reading “An Uncomfortable Topic”

Stillness and Light

By: Gabriela Yareliz I just saw a little video on Mimi Ikonn’s Instagram stories of how she was walking in London and a hail/rain storm came out of nowhere. She and a friend took shelter under the ledge of a building. They were laughing and confused, getting soaked. It reminded me of that summer nightContinue reading “Stillness and Light”

Emotional Undercurrent

By: Gabriela Yareliz This morning, I was speaking to friends of mine, in my home church in Florida. We send a text on Saturday mornings, when we pray for each other and our families. He and his wife are two of the most amazing people I know, who live their lives in full ministry— God’sContinue reading “Emotional Undercurrent”

Studio Update 25

By: Gabriela Yareliz I am up like a kid, under the covers while the space heater hums in the background, waiting to get in trouble because I should be asleep. There is no one to berate me. My apartment still has a coolness to it from having the window open all day. Yesterday’s rain remindedContinue reading “Studio Update 25”

Studio Update 23

By: Gabriela Yareliz Today, as many Christians around the world, I spent time deeply reflecting on the cross. It always brings tears to my eyes, not because of its darkness, its gory nature or the subject of death. None of these things alone are what compels a deep surge of emotion in me. To me,Continue reading “Studio Update 23”

Studio Update 22

By: Gabriela Yareliz It’s the 100th day of quarantine. Kidding. But that is what it feels like. I am ready for the weekend. Today was a stormy day. It matched the whole Thursday before Good Friday vibe. Thunder. Black clouds. Rain. Hail. I finally sat down and read for a bit. I spent like anContinue reading “Studio Update 22”

Studio Update 19

By: Gabriela Yareliz My Fitbit thinks I am dead. I haven’t charged it since we started this shelter in place. I log in my daily exercise, into the app, but I haven’t charged it because let’s face it, I am not taking a lot of steps. It’s me going from my desk to refill myContinue reading “Studio Update 19”

Studio Update 18

By: Gabriela Yareliz I woke up from another nightmare. This time, someone had cut my hair while I was asleep. When I woke up, my hand went straight to my freshly blow dried hair, pinned up with a Drybar alligator clip. When I felt the whole Rapunzel there, I let out a huge sigh ofContinue reading “Studio Update 18”

Studio Update 17

By: Gabriela Yareliz This morning, I woke up, out of breath, from a nightmare. I never dream. I slowly rolled over and saw that it was Saturday. That instilled some calm in me. It was a strange nightmare about breaking free from being stuck. So vivid. So scary. So real. I never really dream (andContinue reading “Studio Update 17”