When my cancer journey began four years ago, I started noticing dragonflies. Sometimes real dragonflies landed next to me or flew near my path. Others showed up in serendipitous images. Dragonflies still appear when I need a glimmer of joy and encouragement. I learned the dragonfly represents resilience, adaptability, grace, and unity. This reminder carried …
I see you. I remember. I still care.” Making new friends and keeping the old is a lifelong process. In this season of my life, I am learning to allow this ebb and flow to happen with more understanding and grace. Thanks to social media, we can connect with people from all areas of our …
Continue reading Friendships and Our Emotional Capacity to Sustain Them
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to, U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics, "about 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 13%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime." I used to scroll past posts like these with a "thumbs up" thinking that’s all I needed to acknowledge the movement. Eleven years ago, …
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. We don't always get second chances to choose the right words, or actions. However, there is no need to live in an anxious state of uncertainty. We are called to live in the present, compassionately, and with purpose. We must also learn to be content with being enough. In February 2020, …
Christmas was right around the corner. The house was quiet. My mom sat at the kitchen table, starring at a blank sketch pad with tears in her eyes. She had yet to design her annual holiday card. Ever since 1978 my mom had created the most beautiful drawings of our family. Friends and family looked …
Another year has passed. Another resolution to write more has seemingly slipped away. I have started many reflections throughout 2020. Then I feel a block. I'm usually an outspoken person. Lately, it's been challenging to accurately express my feelings. There are no words to ease the pain and suffering that has taken place in our …
When a child is born, we celebrate together. We are filled with joy over this miracle. A baby is a sign of hope, faith, and new beginnings. We continue to celebrate this joy with each birthday. When someone dies, we initially mourn together. Death reminds us of our vulnerabilities, doubts, and regrets. But, after a certain …
It’s been a long, cold winter. I woke up this morning wondering if the negative wind chill would cancel school - again. I was secretly hoping for another day to breathe, and process the events surrounding the shooting outside our daughter's school on Friday. (Click here for the full news story.) On the other hand, I …
The other day I had an overwhelming sense of sadness, but I could not pinpoint anything currently in my life that was troubling me. Everything is going well. My family is healthy and happy. Yet, I still couldn’t shake the melancholy feeling. Maybe it was just exhaustion from a busy week. While running some routine …
“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
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