Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
If you think people are kind, scroll through social media or spend a little time in traffic. From critical, hurtful comments to blaring horns and cars that crowd out lane changes, you quickly realize kindness is not an attribute many possess. Years ago, I witnessed a lane change that resulted in a crash. The driver […]
Each spring, I am delighted to see green leaves emerge from what look like dead sticks. During winter, those sticks appear as dead wood. Then, seemingly overnight, green emerges, and with that green, a reminder that renewal lurks just beneath the surface. Renewal One definition of “renew” is to resume after a period of interruption. […]
Years ago, when I bought a struggling plant on the sale table at a local garden store, I didn’t know what I was getting. I was attracted to the purply-maroon, triangular-shaped, butterfly-looking leaves, but didn’t know the name of the plant. I later learned its botanical name, oxalis traiangularis, commonly called ruby shamrock, purple shamrock, […]
This week, I attended a cousin’s funeral. While it was a sweet time of remembrance, and seeing other cousins, this occasion was also a sobering reminder of the brevity of life. As an only child, my cousins have always been important to me. I am blessed to have cousins by the dozens, literally. I share […]
Several nights ago, I was startled into consciousness by the sound of something falling. In my grogginess, I tried to decipher the source, finally convincing myself a picture had fallen off my dresser. Yet, the unknown genesis of the sound bothered me. Ultimately, I turned over and went back to sleep, confident that an intruder […]
Despite the prediction of a furry Pennsylvania rodent, I believe we are on the cusp of spring. Birds are chattier. Daffodils poke heads from the ground. Brown yards are tinged with shades of green. Mild afternoons hint at warming. I’m ready for the chill and dreariness of winter to take a back seat to greenness […]
February is the month associated with love. Some people are easy to love; others aren’t. When you think of the term “hard to love,” does a person immediately come to mind? Perhaps this person is a family member, a “friend,” or acquaintance you see more often than you want to. Either way, loving difficult people […]
Here in the south, snow days are rare. But last weekend, we experienced a full day of beauty as falling flakes fluttered to earth. Navigating a snow day alone is different from one with family gathered around, or children in and out, rosy-cheeked, laughing, and dripping with melting snow. A solitary snow day is a […]
I thought I was doing well with grief until January rolled around and sent me into a tailspin. With the new year came a resurgence of grief. After two years, I didn’t expect it, this spiral into missing, wishing, and remembering. All the emotions I felt two years ago resurfaced. Along with sadness came vivid […]
Do you ever feel you are lacking, that others possess qualities that you don’t? If so, you have failed to recognize your strengths. It’s common for us to compare ourselves to others and focus on what we view are our personal weaknesses. However, we all have strengths. Following are ways to recognize your strengths and […]