Earlier this week, the sky darkened and wind-whipped branches slammed into each other as leaves cascaded to the ground. Rain poured with ever-increasing force. While I knew rain was in the forecast, I was surprised to hear emergency sirens blast. Then a tornado warning text appeared on my phone. While we experienced high winds and […]

Most of last week, I was down for the count with an upper respiratory illness that had more symptoms than I care to list and left me feeling like a wet piece of laundry on the spin cycle. There were days when I considered taking a shower an accomplishment and gave myself brownie points if […]

If you’ve ever watched a tightrope walker on a highwire, you’ve probably experienced simultaneous feelings of anxiety and hope. Although you know practice and repetition will probably ensure safe passage to the little platform on the opposite end of the rope, there is still concern that all may not go as planned. Many tightrope walkers […]

This week a much-anticipated event came to fruition. My daughter gave birth to a sweet little man. His arrival happened a little sooner than expected, but he came in God’s perfect plan and timing. The sweetness of tiny hands and feet, silky smooth skin, perfect little nose, tiny sighs, and squinty eyes peeking at his […]

Our world is full of noise these days. Have you noticed? Everyone has an opinion and is taking freedom of speech to the extreme. Social media rants, protests, negative news reports, and arguments in restaurants and workplaces bombard our senses daily. Other voices hint at war as leaders trade insults and threats. After a while, […]

Sometimes life is like a swim in the ocean when the undertow is strong and the waves are high and forceful. You get knocked down, dragged around, and barely have time to catch your breath before another wave crashes on top of you. Thankfully, seasons also come when life is like a sea that is […]

In recent days, the news has been filled with reports of hurricanes barreling toward the Caribbean and southern states. After the swirling masses pass through, weaken, and blow themselves out, the reports come of devastation—deaths, lost homes and possession, and wrecked lives. My husband and I are in the middle of a uncharted storm, an […]

Recently, I had a phone interview with a website editor about potential work. Prior to the call, I studied the articles on the site and extensively researched the topics on which I hoped to gain assignments. I felt confident and well-prepared for the call. However, the conversation didn’t go as I expected. The editor was […]

Is there someone in your life you gave up communicating with years ago because it was just too difficult? Perhaps you stopped trying because the person consistently misinterprets what you say and looks for reasons to find offense. Or maybe you got tired of that person talking over you, not listening, criticizing, or pooh-poohing your […]

It was talked about it for weeks, months, years even—The Great American Eclipse. My area of South Carolina was in the swath of totality so people traveled here to watch. Hotels were booked weeks in advance and navigating traffic the day before and the day of made you feel as if you were in a […]