Author Archives: Taina Collazo-Rosa

A while back, I listened to a T.D. Jakes sermon about families torn apart by divorce.  Something he said struck me hard.  He said that everyone bleeds when this happens, the couple as well as the children, everyone bleeds.  That imagery was so raw.  When we think about it, divorce can be very similar toContinue reading “A Family Torn”

If I am being honest, I am tired about writing about grief.  I am tired of my heart aching all on its own when this month arrives.  I am tired of having to work so hard to smile and push through the days I wish I could just hide under the covers and cry.  It’sContinue reading “Pieces of Them”

They brought her home.  Papi taped up “NO SMOKING” signs all over the house.  He presented me with this little living cherub doll wrapped up snuggly.  She made me sleepy to look at, she seemed so cozy.  I don’t think I understood that this little human would never leave.  My parents must have suspected IContinue reading “Baby Sissy Love”

I want to apologize, in advance, if I offend anyone.  My hope is that this piece invokes unity, compassion, empathy for those hurting along with a motivation to work on our hearts.  We desperately need a better tomorrow.  In my opinion (that I am fully aware not everyone will agree with) the state of theContinue reading “Empathy Interrupted”

How many women have body image issues?  How often do we scan our bodies in the mirror and magnify every “imperfection?”  I wish this was bigger, this was smaller, this was tighter, this was a different color (hello bogus red stretch marks)!  As a little girl, I was always chubby, nah-I was obese.  I am still consideredContinue reading “More Than Anatomy”

She is magical, this one.  I can tell in her cry.  Robust and sure of herself, and it’s only the first minute of her life.  Isabella was born on 7/20/2009 at 9:07a.m. weighing in at 7 lbs 9 ounces.  We all joked that someone should play the lotto.  My compadre went ahead and did itContinue reading “Bebe de Mami”

A lot of people don’t know that I have been crushing on my husband since I was 12 years old.  It must have been a sign from God (that I totally ignored for many years) because I when I saw him in the hallway at Brentano it was like time stopped for a second.  ItContinue reading “Our (Imperfect) Love Story”

What exactly is blooming?  How do we witness it from our confined (but safe) spaces?  For some of us this season has brought a long awaited and necessary pause.  Yet for others it carries loads of anxiety and fear.  Still others seem to be thriving.  How do we show up?  Is it even fair toContinue reading “May Flowers?”

First test… positive.  Hmmm, no can’t be right.  I was so careful.  Ok, let’s take another… NEGATIVE!  See!  I told you Taina, you were being paranoid.  Break the tie?  Yeah, take another one… negative again.  Yeah, two out of three, I can’t be pregnant, no way.  The next morning when I told my nurse friendContinue reading “Blue Butterfly”

There is something about the onset of Spring that reminds us things change, even when we don’t want them to, they just do.  The snow melts, the rains come and the flowers begin to explode into colorful life.  They are alive and brand new!  We feel refreshed, rejuvenated and injected with the motivation to indulgeContinue reading “Spring Into Changing Growth”