Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
What has this year been for you? Perhaps the year was filled with challenges, heartache, or health issues and you are ready to see 2025 in the rearview mirror. Conversely, maybe this has been the best year of your life, and you are sad to bid it farewell. My year has been a combination of […]
Last Sunday, I had an opportunity to talk to a dear lady, who has faithfully served in our choir for many years. Now, health issues prevent her from singing with us. As I held her hands, we expressed our love for each other. She said, “When I look at the choir, I am right there […]
For the last several months, I, along with our whole choir, have been memorizing the music for our Christmas concert. For the first time ever, we were “off book” for the entire program. Memorization for most of us was challenging, but our director encouraged us, and repeatedly said, “You can do this.” And we did. […]
Last year, the first Christmas without Jim, I had little motivation for decorating or entertaining. I couldn’t bring myself to put up a tree and only had enough energy for minimal decorating. I went through the motions of celebrating Christmas, but emptiness was the prevailing feeling. This year, I am grateful to be experiencing joy […]
December ushers in a festive season of joy. But along with that joy comes nonstop activities. Is it possible to fully enjoy this season amid all the hustle and bustle? Following are thoughts on celebrating, and balancing, this season of joy: A Full Calendar A packed December calendar brings joy, but also stress. Decide to […]
What does gratitude mean to you? Among dictionary definitions are: appreciation of benefits received, feeling or showing thanks, expressing thankfulness. Gratitude doesn’t just happen. In a world where people are more likely to find fault, criticize, notice imperfections, and express annoyance, gratitude is an attitude that must be intentionally cultivated. Those who learn to experience […]
November is the time of the year associated with thankfulness, but it is also a season for generosity. What do you think of when you see the word “generosity?” Does the word call to mind a person, an act, or a characteristic? Following are thoughts on the practice, and cultivation, of generosity: What is Generosity? […]
(An edited and retitled repost of “Remembrance, Sacrifice, and Freedom” from 5-25-20, honoring my father, H. Asbury Neely and all veterans.) In the mid-1950s, before I was born, my parents went to Switzerland to see the place where my father was held prisoner after his plane was shot down during WWII. They traveled to the […]
Fall was slow in coming this year. Just last week, the trees in our part of the country were still green. Then, on a recent morning, as dawning light leaked through my window, I was surprised by a riot of color. The tree outside my window turned yellow overnight and jockeyed for position as most […]
When I was a child, Halloween meant dressing in a costume Mama made for me. I went with her to the cloth store to select the cloth and pattern. One year, she made a colonial dress; another year, a cat costume. I also remember wearing a powder-blue princess dress, crown, and pretty-face plastic mask, that […]