Kaylyn's World

Meet Monsterr. I met her in a support group that helped me with a lot of things, but I originally found it to help me grieve over the loss of my husband. Monsterr is fiercely protective, loyal, and funny. Kaylyn Gabbert : How old were you when you got your first tattoo? And how many tattoos do you have now?  Monsterr : I was 18 when I got my first tattoo, the legal age in NY. I got a dragonfly on my left foot. KG : What does the dragonfly tattoo mean to you?  M : Back to your first set of questions I realize I forgot to answer how many tattoos I have now! After today, I’ll have 23 if I counted correctly. I’m going with my sisters to get our matching tattoos this morning.  The dragonfly represents freedom and independence which I needed to feel at the time. I was in a very abusive relationship and needed something to give me the strength to leave. It still took me a while to actually leave, but the representation of freedom helped.  KG : That's a really cool symbol. K...

Meet Kasie, the sweetest, most encouraging, and most courageous woman I met around last Thanksgiving. Kaylyn Gabbert : Have you ever heard about International Women's Day (March 8th) before this? If so, when did you hear about it? Kasie Cline-Crawford : I have heard of International Women’s Day. I found out it was a thing when I was about 12 or 13. I’ve always had this love and draw toward the 1920s. If I recall correctly, the day was established in early 1920-ish.  KG : I think it's really cool you heard about Women's Day so young because I was never informed about it until I was an adult and I grew up as I like to say a 'forced nomad' and nobody was teaching that or anything. Had I learned that when I was younger I think it'd strengthen my resolve. How'd you learn about it? KCC : I think I came across it while doing some history research. KG : You told me you had many tattoos before. How many tattoos do you have? And what are some of the most meaningful on...

 I didn't forget about Women's History Month. Last year, I was deep into my grieving for losing my husband to cancer, so I opted out, This year things are still hard for many reasons, but I have interviewed people from my writing group Brooklyn Women's Writing Group and my support group Good Company Gathering. I'll have six interviews, but they likely won't be on as tight a schedule as the last time I did this. I'll do my best though. There will be:  Kasie Monsterr Ceinna Stephie Kelsey Renae Happy Women's Day everyone! 💖💖

No. I haven’t forgotten International Women’s History Month.  I know that usually you’re accustomed to seeing my interviews with amazing women throughout the month of March. I asked two women and both of them are unavailable, and where usually I do go seek other women, something big happened to me in December. In December, I lost my husband, Richard. Due to that we’re going to do this a little differently.  We are going to feature me without the questions. Not only how I’m coping, but I want to share what kind of woman I’ve always been, and who I will become through this trial. It was suggested to me that during this time I should remember all of my accomplishments. I’ll also mention one of the women I wish to interview next month if possible, and worst comes to worst, next year. I’ve always been a woman who can handle any challenge. I was always outspoken and protective of those I loved. I was always smiling. As I grew into a teen and young adult the only thing I temporarily ...