Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
Friday of this week marks the one-year anniversary of the day I found Jim’s lifeless body at the top of the back stairs. It’s not really the kind of anniversary you want to acknowledge, yet there it is on the calendar, the “3” pulsing with emotion and memories. For many months after Jim’s death, I […]
Sunday, I had the joy of singing in our choir Christmas presentation. This year was different. Jim wasn’t sitting in the men’s section. Unlike last year, when Jim remembered his music was still at home halfway there, I got to the church on time. After the presentation, I hugged my family, who were in attendance, […]
Several weeks ago, our pastor began his sermon with a story about pushing the limits on his gas gauge. He went on to equate the story with times we push ourselves too far and end up running on empty. I’m there…running on empty. The first half of this year has been non-stop, with very few […]
When thrust into unexpected change, you take slow steps, halting forward motion, as you experience life on the other side. Life changes on the other side of a loved one’s death, presenting you with challenges and lots of firsts as you navigate uncharted waters. First holidays, first solo events, and first experiences, are all tinged […]
Spring came early this year, and I am glad. I needed the return of color to brighten the solemnness of loss. Following are observations on the healing power of nature: Light One of the joys of spring is the change in light and the return of warmth. Although there are days when winter’s chill lingers, […]
My father was a builder, so I grew up around construction sites, tools, and lumber. I learned a lot from my father, not only about building, but also about life. My father’s life mirrored his values and his actions modeled his beliefs. Key elements for constructing a sound structure are a sturdy, level, and plumb […]
How do you handle living in a world that seems to be in a constant state of unrest? We can exist on the edge of fear and panic, or move forward with our lives, savoring each day as a gift. Uncertainty at Home and Abroad Last week, a man killed 18 people in a shooting […]
Several weeks ago, I heard a loud commotion in our side yard. I followed the sound and discovered two arched-backed, neighborhood cats facing each other. With intermittent yowls, and an occasional swat, they challenged each other over a patch of real estate that didn’t belong to either of them. Eventually, they gave up the fight […]
For weeks, my mother’s eyes were closed. On the rare occasions when she opened them, they were clouded with confusion, not recognizing me as her daughter. But one day, she turned her head toward me and opened her eyes. The brown irises, speckled with green, were clear and comprehending, “Thank you for being so […]
In recent months, I have spent lots of time sorting, cleaning out, and throwing away at my maternal grandparents’ home, where two of my aunts also lived. It’s been an arduous task going through the remnants of multiple lives. Sifting through photos and other memorabilia has also been emotionally overwhelming at times. But as I’ve […]