In the weeks leading up to Jersey’s Funniest Female Festival I had one critical decision to make.

Everything I’ve ever needed to know about life I learned from the 2001 New York Yankees. 

August 31st was a big day.

On Mother’s Day I visited my grandma at her rehab center. Soon enough my sister and cousin showed up and the three of us wheeled my grandma down to the dining hall where they were serving “Muffins and Mimosas” in celebration of Mother’s Day.

A valuable lesson I learned during the pandemic was how valuable it is to have a strong morning routine.

The first thing I do each morning is text my grandma.

For several years my parents have been big fans of the show The Marvelous Ms. Maisel. Episode after episode they enjoyed watching her perform standup comedy in New York City. And now my parents had the opportunity to watch their own daughter perform standup comedy in New York.

I could not wait for my Comedy Writing for Stage, TV, and Film class. The last time I was this excited to learn a specific topic was multiplication back in the 2nd grade.

In the week leading up to my first class, I wanted to learn as much about Improv as I possibly could.

In December 2021, and unexpected event triggered my grief to an all time low.

So low that I had even considered giving up comedy.

Do you remember back in 2008 when Britney was spiraling and then you didn’t hear anything about her and were worried how she was doing and then months later out of nowhere she dropped Womanizer and you realized she was back better than ever?

I spent the rest of that summer going to Open Mics. As my confidence was growing, one week I dared to try out some bolder material.

In the summer of 2021 thousands of athletes from around the globe competed in the Olympics. All of whom put in countless hours of training and practicing all in hopes of achieving their lifelong goal to stand up on the podium, hold their medal, and be the pride of their country.

On a warm Wednesday in June, I pulled into the parking lot of Scotty’s Pub and Comedy Cove. I looked at the building and took the deepest breath.

During my first year of grief, I avoided any reminders of the life that John was denied.

While I was still searching for that next chapter with John

In the summer of 2018, back when I still watched cable television, I saw a commercial for

One afternoon, not long after John died, I had the following conversation with my therapist.

Whoever said the phrase “it gets easier with time” was lying.

The lights were bright.

The audience was packed.

Welcome to Jersey’s Funniest Female Festival.