Selected stories on ILLUMINATION-Curated
Self-nominated Stories by Danell teNyenhuis Black
My best stories selected from ILLUMINATION
This is Distracted Driving
#DISTRACTEDDRIVING, #GRIEF
This is an essay I wrote after my husband’s bike was returned to me by the police department. The bike was such a jarring visual of the ending of his life. Due to the lack of legal clarification for drug intoxication in the state of California, the person who killed my husband was only charged with a misdemeanor. We made the decision to use the bike to raise awareness about all causes of distracted driving. This is an older article from my blog but I would still like to use it to raise awareness.
Maintaining a Sense of Security — At All Costs
#RATIONALIZATION, #PANDEMIC, #COPING
This was written in an effort to understand the reactions to COVID-19. I was amazed at the responses of people I previously considered rational. I knew there was psychology behind these reactions. We all rationalize in an attempt to make ourselves feel safe. If the reaction to the pandemic is overblown, if the pandemic isn’t real, we are safe from it, right? The many attempts to portray the pandemic as a conspiracy, or as something comparable to the flu, are coping mechanisms.
Today I Grieve For Our Pre-Covid Lives
#LIFE, #RELIGION, #PANDEMIC
I wrote this after becoming outraged by the comments on a friends Facebook post. The comments demonstrated the loss of civility that we have experienced. I was particularly struck by the hateful tone of the commenter and the fact that she loudly proclaimed to be a Christian. This was a trend that I had been noticing. I was outraged that Christianity was being invoked to spread hatred. This was the beginning of my reduced social media consumption.
When Grief Interrupts Your Perfectly Planned Life
#GRIEF, #RESILIENCE, #LOVE
This story was adapted from a blog post I wrote on the first anniversary of my husband’s death. By sharing my grief journey I hope to help others who may just be starting their own. I never expected to be a widow when I have so much life ahead of me. I had to find a way to move forward and help my daughters move forward as well. After so many dark days I have found happiness and joy again.
I Will Never Forget The Hike That Started Near The Nude Beach
#TRAVEL, #FAMILY, #CALIFORNIA
In the summer of 2014, we took a hike near Avila Beach. The hike was just challenging enough to feel like an accomplishment. The views were spectacular and the memories were awesome. This was also one of the last family vacations we had so I remember it fondly. You’ll have to keep reading to hear about the nude beach and Robin Williams.
The Essential Ingredients To A Sincere Apology
#APOLOGY, #CUSTOMERSERVICE, #INTEGRITY
Apologizing is a skill that we should teach in school. Mistakes are inevitable. Learning to handle them effectively could be the difference between losing and retaining customers. If you work in customer service, you need to be able to craft a sincere apology. This story explains the six rules I use when an apology is necessary: honesty, explanation, going above and beyond, no assignments, identify and correct the root cause, and actions taken to prevent future problems.
The Essential Ingredients to a Sincere Apology
If you can’t be sincere, what’s the point?
medium.com
What Dreams Has The Pandemic Stolen From You?
#LOSS, #DISAPPOINTMENT, #RESILIENCE
The list of canceled events and missed activities due to the pandemic is endless. I wrote this to point out how experiencing disappointment frequently leads to resilience. In times of loss and unrealized dreams, many people find strength that they didn’t know they had. We can mourn the losses but we should also celebrate resilience.
This Book Gave Me The Strength To Survive
#BOOKS, #GRIEF, #LIFE
I can’t say enough about this book. I read it randomly, without knowing that I would experience my own loss in the near future. As I dealt with the immediate aftermath of my husband’s death, I thought of the loss Nancy survived. I lost my husband, she lost her entire family. If she could move forward, so could I. I recommend this book whether or not you have experienced a loss. She is an inspiring person.
You Should Never Drive The Kids To School In Your Pajamas!
#HUMOR, #LIFELESSONS, #PARENTING
I love funny stories, even if the laughter is at my expense! This is a story about the day I made the fateful choice to drive my kids to school while wearing pajamas. I can’t blame the pajamas, it wasn’t their fault! Hopefully my readers will learn from my mistake!
