I Didn’t Know This Was What Normal Felt Like

I’ve mentioned before that I grew up in Antwerp, right?

I can’t say I had a happy childhood, but every once in a while—really rarely—I’d catch a glimpse of what I thought normal felt like. Because I wouldn’t exactly call my childhood “normal.”

A WhatsApp Message From My Father After Many Years of No Contact

Well, whaddaya know?!

I had written this blog post (you really should check it out!) — I hadn’t even published it yet, and then…

I get a WhatsApp message from my father!

Have I Ever Properly Introduced You to Yuki?

Recently, I was at one of Yuki’s parties again. One of the guests took a photo of the two of us together. Later, I thought: maybe it would be nice to share that photo here. Maybe you’d enjoy getting to see a little bit of Yuki! Especially since I write about her here quite often.

What Does It Feel Like When Your Father Loves You? — The Question That Made Me Cry at 30,000 Feet

What I still find strangest of all is that I’ve never asked myself this before…

When You Realize Your Life Was Never as Private as You Thought (Sicily Story)

I’m ashamed.

I’m going to tell you why…

Harry — Episode 4: The Ward

— Episode 4 in a five-part series about what happened to Harry —

A few days later, they moved Harry to another ward. When I went to see him there, he was different again.

(Rosario was no longer coming with me at that point. There was a reason for that...)

Harry — Episode 2: The Ambulance

— Episode 2 in a five-part series about what happened to Harry —

I called 112, but my phone refused to cooperate. I heard an intermittent electronic beep. I tried again. The same beep.

This is taking too long.

Harry — Episode 1: The Supermarket

— Episode 1 in a five-part series about what happened to Harry —

We were actually already a bit too tired, but I hadn’t really been able to do any grocery shopping, so I said to Harry: 

“Let’s just quickly swing by the supermarket to grab something nice—maybe a bottle of wine and some good cheese.”

The Art of Ending a Bad Day Before It Gets Worse

What do you usually do when a day goes completely off track? 

I thought I had a quick blog post and a free afternoon ahead of me — but things took a very different turn…

When Someone Keeps Interrupting You and Finishing Your Sentences

You know my friend Mina, the one who kept finishing my sentences in ways I never would myself? Say I started a sentence with:

My Friend Keeps Finishing My Sentences — And It’s Changing Our Conversations

Have you ever had someone finish your sentences? It’s more unsettling than you think...

What to Say When Someone Is Rude to You in Public

A while ago, I got into a bit of an argument with a cashier at the supermarket I visit almost every day.

How Scent Can Instantly Lift Your Mood Through Memory

The other morning in Sicily, a simple scent stopped me in my tracks—and instantly lifted my mood. What seemed like an ordinary smell turned out to be something deeper: a doorway to memory…

What do you say to someone who’s grieving? ChatGPT gave me the answer — almost.

You know, recently the mother of my friend Yuki passed away. I wanted to send her my best wishes for Easter, but it’s tricky to wish someone a “Happy Easter” when they’re in mourning.

The Power of a Simple Phone Call: Friendship, Loss, and Human Connection

“I’ve been thinking about you”, I said when she picked up.

There was a pause.

Then she told me her mother had died.