Breaking Through the Storms
This poem in ten parts reflects actual conversations poet Laura E. Garrard had with her intimate family members as her diagnosis and treatment for multiple myeloma unfolded. Sometimes when a family is hit with the stress of a cancer diagnosis, relationships can dissolve. Through her difficult conversations, her relationships shifted and grew. Laura said she had to be brave and speak more honestly than she ever had, ask for what she needed and didn't. Her marriage further solidified over time. Laura has created illustrations to accompany each post of this poem series.