Though I am categorizing this as a story, it is creative nonfiction — based on real events. Names have been changed to protect privacy. Each of us approaches and responds to death uniquely. I want to honor that particularity. Over the last three years, I visited Sarah about every couple of months. I’d call or email a day or so in advance, and we’d agree on a time in the early afternoon.

Though I am categorizing this as a story, it is creative nonfiction — based on real events. Names have been changed to protect privacy. Each of us approaches and responds to death uniquely. I want to honor that particularity. I was away when Sarah’s husband died. A neighbor sent me a staccato email, “Joe died this morning. Been over with food support.” We all expected Joe’s death.

I’m closing out 2025 with a review of the most popular articles I’ve posted on this blog since its inception in January 2017. With All Due Respect has a limited audience of just over one hundred followers, composed chiefly of friends, former colleagues, and a few strangers who have found me through internet searches. It’s intriguing what people find interesting. …

Seventh Installment Deborah’s heart sank. The dream of swimming free at Concord Lake was dashed, but she felt, after all the distress she had caused, that she owed it to her sister and everyone els…

Sixth Installment “I know you thought you were doing something safe and reasonable from your point of view, but did you consider how it might look and feel to the rest of us. If you had drowned at …

Fifth Installment Meredith strode into the cabin with her usual quick, in-charge stride. She carried a large pot containing potatoes, beans, peas, and carrots that she would boil and add cream to, …

Fourth Installment Roxy’s eyes registered Deborah’s blue suit and green bathing cap striding through the shallow water toward the pier. She saw the living, moving body, but her brain did not proces…

Third Installment Meredith speed-dialed her husband, Tony, a senior firefighter in the local volunteer fire department. He picked up immediately, “What’s up?”  “You need to get to the lake rig…

Second Installment Roxy’s shout penetrated Alex’s absorption with his iPhone. Next, he heard a loud clap of thunder and immediately shot a glance at his son, who had his earphones in and was listen…

by Moriah Freeman Letter to my Readers Because I started writing creatively later in life, I’ve permitted myself to experiment with poetry, essays, nonfiction, and fiction, knowing I may neve…

“Farewell to thee! but not farewellTo all my fondest thoughts of thee:Within my heart they still shall dwell;And they shall cheer and comfort me.” —Anne Brontë One morning, a couple of years ago, a…

Old people and children are two of the most vulnerable groups in American society.  Non-whites, the poor, immigrants, LGBTQ+ persons, the disabled, and women are also exceptionally vulnerable.…

I will be participating in two local book fairs in August 2025, offering for sale my three publications: The Blue Room, a novel; You Can’t Get Blood from a Turnip, a collection of poetry; and…

I drink Yogi Tea every morning, first thing, right after I feed the animals and take the dog out for his first sniff and tinkle of the day. Just after I ring my meditation bell, turn on three tea l…

My first poetry collection is announced in the Maine Authors and Publishers Alliance Ex Libris newsletter for late June. It is available on Amazon for $7.00, or by contacting me at: moriahfree@gmai…

To view the images in this post, click Read on Blog I have mentioned here before that I meet monthly on Zoom with a group of women who talk about our experiences of aging and our musings on death. …

A hint for those who have difficulty commenting on these posts: Click on “Read on blog” at the top right of this email, and you will be taken to my blog site. Scroll to the bottom of th…

Many Americans won't spend money at major retailers for a day. Why the no-spend day is gaining traction now, and the Ohio group part of the boycott.