Gilda Tavernese

Life Chart: How Well Do You Know Yourself?

It’s the dead of winter. It is bitterly cold out. I’m in my room listening to the ticking of the clock on my fireplace mantle as I stare into the mirror at my grey hairs creeping in—a fitting musical accompaniment to the moment. I started thinking of warmer days and the things I would likeContinue reading “Life Chart: How Well Do You Know Yourself?”

Not Just the Jitters

My earliest memory of a full blown panic attack? It would have to be in grade 8, during a play in which I played Titania, the queen of fairies, in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was the night of the big production, the one where the school principle and parents attend. I had takenContinue reading “Not Just the Jitters”

Skin Care = Self Care

No, this is not another sponsored blog about what you should use to make your wrinkles disappear and look 20 years younger. Aging is as unique as we are. Genetics, and a whole host of other factors play a roll on how our skin looks at any age. However, I wanted to share my currentContinue reading “Skin Care = Self Care”

Mr. D

“Aren’t you going to write one about me?!” he asks as he sits next to me reading every word I type. This is Mr. D! Inquisitive, attentive to detail, and an endless stream of chatter can be heard whenever he is home. Let’s try to start this from the beginning. I was perfectly content withContinue reading “Mr. D”

Ms. G

I knew I did not want to have children at a young age but I knew I always wanted to be a mother. Soon after I got married, casually trying to conceive was not working, so we decided to take a trip to Paris. We thought it would be the one place we most likelyContinue reading “Ms. G”

Being Canadian: Sometimes 1+1=None

One country of birth. A second, different, country of origin. Never fully immersed in either one. That’s how I’ve felt most of my life. Living in limbo culture, as it’s commonly referred to, can be at times confusing, lonely, and makes you question who you really are and where you really belong. I was bornContinue reading “Being Canadian: Sometimes 1+1=None”

Luna: Part 2

My cousin Luciano once said to me, “I used to be afraid of dogs too, but once you have your own, and you raise them from when they are young, you will understand dogs more and you won’t be afraid of them”. I believed him, but at the height of my phobia I refused toContinue reading “Luna: Part 2”

Luna: Part 1

A phobia is no joke. It’s a paralyzing fear that can cause insurmountable anxiety. The source of my particular phobia…dogs. I used to say I love dogs, I’m just petrified of them. How could I love them and be afraid? It’s simple: they are very cute, but they have big teeth and a wide mouth,Continue reading “Luna: Part 1”

All The While. Unsung.

We cheered them on as they sang and gave us joy. All the while, in silent routine, she awoke each day, gowned up, masked on, gloved in to care for our sick. We cheered them on as they won each game. All the while, in twelve hour shifts, he pushed passed his fatigue, gowned up,Continue reading “All The While. Unsung.”

Always the ‘Old lady’, Never the ‘Young Princess’

This picture has always felt like an accurate reflection of my childhood…possibly my young adult years as well. Let’s start this story from the beginning. In this picture I was 4 years old. I was in junior kindergarten. I attended D’Arcy McGee Elementary School, in Toronto. I was only at this school for one yearContinue reading “Always the ‘Old lady’, Never the ‘Young Princess’”