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Continue reading →: What It’s Like to Be the Wife of a Correctional OfficerI am the wife of a correctional officer. That sentence alone carries more weight than I ever expected it would. Writing about this feels a little tricky, not because I’m ashamed of it, but because it’s a profession that is often misunderstood. I want to share the experience honestly, with…
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Continue reading →: Your Turn: What Should I Write About Next?
Hi everyone 🤍I wanted to reach out to all of you who take the time to read my words, follow along, and share pieces of this journey with me. I truly love writing — it’s how I process life, motherhood, healing, and everything in between. Sharing my experiences has been…
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Continue reading →: Drift
Some relationships don’t end with slammed doors or raised voices.They end with silence.And somehow, that silence can be louder than any argument. That is how this ended.Not with final words—but with distance that slowly learned how to live between us. Once, conversation came easily. Life was shared freely. And then,…
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Continue reading →: I’d love your input!
I’m opening the door to you. What stories, topics, or conversations would you like to see more of here? I’d love to hear from you. What would you like me to write about next? Are there topics, stories, or feelings you’d like to read, reflect on, or talk about together?…
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Continue reading →: Hair
This blog is deeply personal to me. It’s about my son, his hair, and the journey we’ve shared together. After my son was born, I experienced severe postpartum depression. Those early days were filled with both love and tears. I remember telling my husband that I wanted the magical moment…
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Continue reading →: Annabelle
(Annabelle, Bellers, A-Bell, Mammas) In the recent weeks, I have been missing my dog that had to be put to sleep lately. Her name, Annabelle. My husband and I found her through a friend named Wendy Lewis. Wendy, at the time had an animal rescue adoption center out of her…
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Continue reading →: Reckless
Over the course of years of intensive therapy and professional work, I have come to understand a fundamental truth about human behavior: each of us operates daily from one of three psychological states—our inner child, our adolescent self, or our most responsible adult self. This insight is not just theoretical…
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Continue reading →: Release
This is an excerpt taken from the book that I am currently writing about the emotional journey of a woman who finds peace through heartbreak. People often say, “Just get over it. Just move on.”But until you’ve walked through something truly traumatic, you don’t realize—it’s not that easy. It’s not…
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Continue reading →: My Favorite Movie and Growing Up in the ’80s
My absolute favorite movie of all time is Sixteen Candles by John Hughes. I’ve watched it over and over—at least 100 times! If you haven’t seen it, it’s about newly 16-year-old Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald), who’s dealing with an unrequited crush on high school senior Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), while…
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Continue reading →: June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
Men’s mental health is a critical issue that often goes unspoken. In today’s world, men face numerous challenges and responsibilities, yet societal expectations frequently discourage them from expressing vulnerability. This month serves as a reminder to address these challenges and promote open conversations about men’s mental well-being. While both men…
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Continue reading →: Legacy
Dear Ma Carrizzo, When I heard the incredibly sad news of your passing, I didn’t want to believe it. I was in a complete state of shock. Then reality set in and my heart was shattered. My heart was broken for me, it was broken for Sue and your sons,…
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Continue reading →: A Piece of Me: Rediscovering My Voice
I took a break from my blog. The last time I wrote was June 2024. I had promised myself I would blog every Friday, but then I got sick. I had to stop. Inside, I was sad. Now, as time has passed and I am healing, I feel the pull…
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Continue reading →: Turning Pain into Pages
Writing for me is used as my therapy. I never set out to be a “writer.” I just needed a place to put the thoughts that kept me up at night. The ones I couldn’t say out loud without choking up, or worse—breaking down. What started as scribbles in a…
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Continue reading →: May-Mental Health Awareness Month
May is the month that is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness. This is a topic that is dear to my heart. Having experienced Postpartum Depression. Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Bipolar One Disorder, Mental Health Awareness is very important to me. I…
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Continue reading →: The Fall Out
There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you meet them to change your life or you’re the one that will change theirs. As I navigate through life, I now, realize at the age of 46, that, if you have just one really good friend in this…
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Continue reading →: Ozark
Ozark is my absolute by far most favorite, favorite TV series. Its intense storytelling, complex characters, and constant suspense keeps me coming back every year. I watched it when it first came out in the summer of 2017, and then from there I watch it every spring, since then. Every…
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Continue reading →: Temporary
Disclaimer: This is not a suicide letter. This is a letter to my son to read after I have naturally passed. Hopefully, that will be in the far, far future. People say, “Are you afraid of death?” The answer is no, not anymore. I used to be afraid, but not…
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Continue reading →: Full Circle
Full Circle Dear Ms. M., Currently, in my life, I am on a healing journey. While, on this journey, I have been on an apology tour. First, apologizing to the ones that I love and care about the most. Secondly, a thankfulness tour too. I promised myself, when I…
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Continue reading →: What I’ve Learned So Far in Life at the Age of 46
44.I’ve learned that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done. 45. I’ve learned that it’s not about what you have in life, but who you have in your life. 46. I’ve learned that giving is so much better than receiving. 47. I’ve learned…
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Continue reading →: Skies of Blue Classroom
https://www.donorschoose.org/project/skies-of-blue-classroom/9151442/ My Project The specific items requested like the Rattan Floor Lamps for Living Room, Boho Standing Lamps with Rattan & Linen Double Shades will allow for light to come into my classroom. It will allow my students to see when they read in the reading nook area of the…
Hello,
Welcome to Skies of Blue!
Hello, I’m Fran. I’m 47 years old and live in Danbury, Connecticut with my husband, Jason, and our son, Jason. I am a special education teacher in Waterbury, Connecticut, and I have always had a heart for helping others grow, learn, and believe in themselves.
Writing is one of my greatest passions. It has become both an outlet and a calling — a place where reflection meets faith, life lessons meet vulnerability, and ordinary moments become meaningful stories. Through reading, writing, pallet projects, run challenges, and deep, heartfelt conversations, I find joy in connection and creativity.
I am the writer behind skiesofblue.org, where I share pieces of my life’s journey — the growth, the struggles, the faith, the healing, and the beauty found along the way. I truly believe words have power: power to encourage, to comfort, to challenge, and to inspire change.
My blog is dedicated to Blue Sky Behavioral Health, LLC, located in Danbury, Connecticut.
You can learn more about their work at https://blueskyrecovery.com/.
Supporting mental health, healing, and personal transformation is deeply important to me, and I am honored to align this space with a mission that helps others find hope and restoration.
I wake up each morning grateful — excited for life, grounded in faith, and energized by the opportunity to give, to serve, and to create. I love God, I love my family, I love my students and I love building meaningful connections with people.
“Fran” was my childhood nickname, and “Martin” is my maiden name — together, they form the name behind this space: Fran Martin.
Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I cherish writing them.
With gratitude,
Fran
Let’s connect stepholee78@yahoo.com
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