SUNDESSAYS
Stories for the Soul

I’ve been working back-to-back trade shows this month. I’ve been doing events for 35 years. There are skills that go into event management. Organization. Knowing how to troubleshoot. Bringing together all kinds of resources to get things done. It’s great work. Stressful, too. Trying to orchestrate the alignment of a thousand moving parts- within the parameters of an inflexible schedule- when there are countless factors out of your control, can make you crazy. I have definitel

For 57 years I was Tom Murphy’s daughter. Then one day, in May, I wasn’t anymore. Thing is, I used the phrase “Tom Murphy’s daughter” often. I mostly said it to my husband when he would lovingly chide me over being ridiculously early, or adherent to the rules, or worrying about safety. Because none of those are bad things- and are all too often rare things- I would explain myself proudly and with a smile: "I am Tom Murphy’s daughter.” It’s Father’s Day and I am no longer Tom

I have grief over my grief. Grieving Briana is my least favorite version of myself. Believe me when I say I’d like to not feel any of this. I know I’m miserable to be around; better than anyone else does. I can’t get away from myself. I’m here all the time and I am an absolute downer. My poor husband (a candidate for sainthood at this point) sees me crying, or going to bed at 7pm, or saying “I don’t care” when everyday life stuff comes up. We tried to go listen to live music