About Amy
Amy B. Chesler is an author, award-winning blogger, & actress from Southern California. She discovered her passion for the literary and film worlds as early as she can remember, and has been voraciously reading, writing, and performing ever since. Amy’s journey has led her to contribute work to many popular publications. Read more…
The Poop Trail
It was undeniable that my mom had a favorite story from my childhood. She called it, ‘THE POOP TRAIL.’ Of course, she had a few other anecdotes dear to her heart, but as I lost Mom when I was twenty-two, the only tale that left a lasting impression on me was the shocker. Now, as a thirty-something year old mother, I’d love to learn about her pregnancies, birth stories, the challenges of being a single mother, and so much more. But I couldn’t have known I would miss out on the chance. So, Mom’s legacy remains to be: THE POOP TRAIL.
Mom’s the Word
“You’re way too into being a mom,” my childless girlfriend said. “No, I’m not! I really don’t like it sometimes,” I rebuked. But as soon as the comment fell out of my mouth, I felt stupid for saying it. It may be true that I...
Tomorrow is Another Day
Thirty-seven years ago my mom gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Three years ago, I gave birth to my own son. Every cell in my body wants to have a sit down with her, to trade birth and/or parenting stories. But, as my brother stole her life eleven years ago, I haven’t been able to. I never will.
The Best Darn Cheesecake You’ll Ever Have
Mama’s made her 1st Cheesecake (hey, we’ve gotta have our own milestones, too, right?)! I won’t bore you with a lot of jibber jabber about how this recipe is a family secret and Grandma Mae used to make it every year (I don’t even have a Grandma Mae, and I...
Confidence & Other Insecurities
“Do you like it?” I ask, spinning in a full circle to give her a good look. “It’s beautiful… I wish I could wear something like that,” she replies. “But bright colors are for the confident.” She ducks away as I digest...
MomLifeYo Interview
To hear my Dash Radio interview on the Mom Life, Yo Podcast you can do so here...
Movies are Magical
Films have the ability to take people on journeys without even pulling them from the comfort of their couches. They helped me escape the difficulties of childhood, and now a taxing adulthood. But the more magical thing about movies is that they remain to be so much to...
I <3 NY
I’m not really sure why I planned a trip to NY with two kiddos, but I did. I’m also not quite sure why we didn’t cancel and reroute ourselves to Mexico, but we didn’t. And hey, we still survived! No joke, Manhattan is quite an endeavor with...
An Open Letter *From* My Deceased Mother
Not long ago I shared an open letter I wrote to my deceased mother. And as my latest Expressing Motherhood piece mentioned an open letter she wrote me that was read at a graduation-related event, I thought that it would be fitting this year (on her death date) to...
Love You Forever
No one is ever ready to say goodbye to a parent, and I was no exception. When my mother suddenly passed away at the age of fifty-five, it was devastating. The only way I knew how to cope was to write, and when it came time to write her eulogy, I welcomed the chance to honor her.
To All the Friends I’ve Lost Along the Way
I have lost many friends over the years. A few were stolen by Death (may they Rest In Peace), but far more of them I have lost to life…
Why I’m Not Crying At School Drop-Off
“How do you feel?” “Are you sad?” “Nervous at all?” Ive been asked the same question (or variations of it) umpteen times in relation to my kids starting school within the last several years. And my answer, for some reason, is always...