Making Good Choices When COVID-19 Strikes
The past two weeks have been a bit of a blur. Our younger son caught the COVID-19 virus at school,…
Articles by Jamie Hughes
Don’t Worry and Take Your Time
My husband and I have been on a bit of a quest as of late. For several reasons that I…
Art for Our Sake
One of the great things about living in Atlanta is that there is always something new and exciting going on…
It’s No Puzzle: Play Is Good for Your Brain
I don’t know why, but for some reason, two people in my family decided to get me puzzles for Christmas…
Feeling Overwhelmed? Wander Under the Stars
If you read my last column, you know that my Thanksgiving was eventful, to say the least. Well, it…
Do What You Can Do (And No More)
I don’t know about you, but last week passed in a blur. I typically enjoy Thanksgiving, but this year, things…
‘Once More, With Feeling’: How Singing Can Benefit MS Patients
A few weekends ago, I had what I’ve described as a mini midlife crisis. Things with the kids were a…
No Wasted Moments
A friend of mine recently recommended a book to me by the multitalented Brian Doyle called “One Long River…
When Is a Wall Not Just a Wall?
As is usually the way with books I put on hold at the library, three of the novels I’ve been…
Curing Headaches, Pain, and Stress, One Gizmo at a Time
Though I have fewer headaches than I used to thanks to acupuncture, I can usually count on at least…
Kintsugi Reminds Me That Living With MS Isn’t Something to Hide
This week, I had a conversation with my eldest son about the importance of saying “I’m sorry,” and making amends…
MS and the Beauty of Changing Seasons
I walked outside a couple days ago and something amazing happened. The heat didn’t slap me in the face. The…
Just Put One Foot in Front of the Other
I’ve been working on my health this last year or so, trying everything from a vegetarian diet to visiting…
Celebrity or Not, You Matter to the MS Community
Christina Applegate, star of classic ’90s films like “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” and TV shows like “Married with…
Being Prepared Can Help Us Succeed
This week, my sons returned to school. Both are now in middle school, and let me tell you, this freaks…
Permanent Ink: My Tattoo Serves as an Important Reminder
On July 10, I did something I never thought I’d do: I got a tattoo! I’ve always been fascinated by…
Listening to My Body as I Experiment With a New Diet
For the last year and a half, my husband and I had been following the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet…
You Don’t Always Need to Fix It
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but most people don’t like a problem without a solution. If something isn’t working…
Making the Most of Both Good Days and Bad
If you have multiple sclerosis, no matter how long you’ve lived with it, you likely know it can be unpredictable.
A Time for Decision-making
One of my favorite moments in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” involves a stolen fountain pen. If you’ve…
When in Doubt, Make a Mixtape
Spring is here, a time we’d normally be out and about getting some sun and recharging our souls after…
To Love Living Things, and to Let Them Go
In her poem “In Blackwater Woods,” Mary Oliver concludes with 10 breathtaking lines: “To live in this world/ you…
The Value of Looking Ahead
Next week, I will be celebrating my second “quarantine birthday,” which is both amazing and sad. I honestly had no…
The Beginning of Spring Reminds Me That the World Is So Wonder-full
The daffodils are in full bloom. There are leaves on my Japanese red maple tree again. Seeds are going into…
‘I’d Prefer Not To’: Confronting the Tasks We Don’t Want to Do
For a week, I’ve spent my afternoons painting our enclosed garden. When we built it last spring, the wood was…
This Is What Love Looks Like
Last night, as I was grumpily prowling through a pile of overpriced red and white striped hats looking for one…
Miracles From a Pile of Broken Glass
I’ve recently been sucked into watching “Blown Away” on Netflix. If you have no idea what I’m talking about,…
A Catalogue of Tiny Gratitudes
I know quite a few of you are dealing with copious amounts of snow right now, but there is not…
‘Soon May the Wellerman Come’: Connecting Through Music
As hard as it is to believe, we’re now nearly a year into this pandemic. Thankfully, two vaccines are currently…
The Hidden Blessing of Routines, Even in Times of Grief
The holidays can be difficult for many reasons, but one of the things I struggle with is the breakdown of…