Author: hollytrina

Structure is liberating.At least it is for me. Once I feel comfortable in a certain space and with certain people, I become more fully myself. The unknown requires a lot of mental and physical energy to navigate, leaving me few resources left to relax into who I am and how I fit into the world.… Continue reading vatican II baby

I posted a story on Instagram yesterday, which I decided was worth keeping. So here you go, short and sweet. I may write more later. I may not. Lots of voices are speaking on this issue, and I'm not sure I'm anxious to add my voice to the fray. But if you're interested in listening… Continue reading laws that divide

My dear people who are hesitant to get the COVID vaccine. I get it. I do. I’m the type of person to eschew pain medication until I can’t tolerate it anymore. I’ll let my fever ride hoping my body can deal with that little bug all on its own. I trust my body, and so… Continue reading a love note to my Catholic anti-maskers

Go home and love your familySt. Teresa of Calcutta I get it. In this world of overwhelm, it feels do-able to go home and love my family. This is something I have control over, something I can achieve, something that is possible. But it is also not enough. When Mother Teresa sent us home to… Continue reading love your family

The other day I sat down with a multi-year calendar to try to plan our family vacations.  It was panic inducing. Yes, I am fully aware that having the means and the time to travel is a privilege, but I also know how beneficial travel is in building a more unified society. The more we… Continue reading to travel

When I went to the ob/gyn last month, the sign above their scale read, “Remember: This number does not define who you are.” The handwritten note was signed with a smiley face, painter’s tape holding it to the wall. Go find yourself a doctor who believes this to be true.(I mean it. Go right now.)… Continue reading why are all the saints skinny

We call faith a practice, as if there is a formula we can follow, day after day, to hone our skills so that we may live like Jesus. I understand this concept. Truly, I do. When we practice something, we undoubtedly get better. Except that sometimes our practice stops working. When that happens, we need… Continue reading practicing faith following an interrupted faith practice

My teens went to Scout camp today and I miss them. I wasn’t expecting this particular emotion mere hours after they left, considering I spent years longing for a weekend alone, yet here it is. When the children were younger, my only wish was for a day to spend exactly as I wanted. Parenting littles… Continue reading parenting sweet spot

So many Catholics say that your patron saint chooses you, you don’t choose them. When I hear overarching statements like this, it gives me pause. What is the difference, really, between having somebody choose you and you choosing that somebody. How relationships begin is just a tiny piece of the story, it is the work… Continue reading when saints choose you