My Mother-in-Law died this past week after over a decade of struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease. We all miss her. A final goodbye is still difficult, even when we’ve seen it coming for a long time.
Watching her succumb to dementia over the years, I feel like we not only said this last goodbye, we’ve also said 100 little goodbyes along the way. … Continue reading
Through the eyes of a child, everything is magic and full of fun. Even waiting in a parking lot.
As we waiting for a friend who was running late, my boys had a great time exploring a dirt and weed filled parking-lot island. They took what could have been 20 minutes of simply waiting (or lots of complaining), and turned it into an outdoor adventure.… Continue reading
Sometimes the simple things in life are the most fulfilling. Making and eating our favorite double chocolate cookies (recipe HERE) or peanut butter cookies (recipe HERE). Seeing the joy on someone’s face when we tell them, “Yes!” (see HERE). Snuggling quietly with one of our favorite people (see HERE) or simply spending time with someone we love (see HERE). … Continue reading
We all have many things on our to-do lists, sometimes far more than we can do in a day (see HERE). But the things that make it on to my list generally aren’t the sorts of things that would concern me if I faced my death without completing them. While it’s good to get everyday tasks completed, my most-important priorities fall outside of basic to-dos (see HERE).… Continue reading
Isn’t it a blessing that we can begin anew each day? It’s comforting to me that every morning I can start again, setting aside that which did not serve me well yesterday, and building upon that which did.
I can leave yesterday behind me. Today I can try again. Today I can recreate.
Every day is ours: to enjoy, to learn, to love, to experience, to grow, to live.… Continue reading
It’s always good to know when to take a break (see HERE). Over the last week or so, several factors have come together to let me know that this is the time.
Last week my computer died. One morning it was working fine. The next time I went to turn it on, it simply wouldn’t start. It suffered from a major hardware failure, and was completely done.… Continue reading
Last weekend I traveled across the country for a memorial (see HERE). It was an emotional weekend, but in the midst of it my heart was happy to be reminded of the kindness of strangers.
I prepared for a weekend of travel. I was traveling by myself, and prepared myself for all sorts of possibilities (I’m a planner in that way).… Continue reading
I was preparing to fly out of town for a memorial. In and of itself, that made my trip last weekend feel like an emotionally big trip. To add to the feelings, this was the first time I had left either of my boys over night. While my husband travels frequently on his own, I don’t.
The latter factor felt both liberating and a trifle worrying.… Continue reading
This simple advice of Mary Oliver’s is often quoted, and understandably so. I love how it captures so much in so few words.
Pay attention. Be mindful. Be intentional. Look around you. Observe the details, they’re often where the greatest everyday joys can be found. Life is full of beauty and grandeur, we simply need to open our eyes to see it.… Continue reading
While I tremendously enjoyed our last trip (see HERE) and I’m looking forward to the two other big road trips we have planned for this summer, today my soul is rejoicing in some time spent alone.
We all need to make room for quiet in our lives (see HERE). Whether it’s taking a walk alone (see HERE), taking a relaxing bath (see HERE), spending time reading a good book (see HERE), snuggling with your little one (see HERE), or simply pausing for a minute of purposeful quiet in the morning before you step into the business of the day, it’s those moments when we can reconnect with our better selves.… Continue reading