You’re probably familiar with the TV ad for Capital One Financial, “What’s In Your Wallet?” Well I say, “What’s in Your Backyard?” The words came to me a couple of weeks ago when my friend Kirby and I made the rounds on a Community Garden Tour. There were ten … Continue reading →
About thirty years ago–maybe more, I partnered with a good friend from church. We decided to pray for each other regularly and we continued for many years. We still call on each other when we have a great need for support even though we no longer live in the … Continue reading →
I enjoyed a lovely visit recently with my good friend of many years, Glenda, and her daughter Sarah, my adopted granddaughter. What fun we had after not seeing each other for quite some time. We chatted over delicious meals, took a walk, saw a movie, and recalled our times … Continue reading →
Here’s a real-life story that has taught me a valuable lesson. I’ve changed the names to protect the identities of the two women involved. But the heart of the story is what matters. I hope you like it. Liz and Susan had been friends for twenty years until a … Continue reading →
Recently I spent a few days with my son Jim and his wife Michiko in Southern California. We hiked and walked and talked and ate and watched movies and laughed and talked some more. And we did squeeze in a few hours of sleep each night. We also visited … Continue reading →
I have to laugh whenever I read this slogan in my recovery support group. It gets me every time! Because it’s so difficult to keep my hands to myself. 🙂 Like most people I’m certain I have suggestions and ideas for how others can live a more fulfilling life. … Continue reading →
I bought a greeting card recently to send to my sister who is ill. It says “Just a hug, just for you, just because.” A simple message but sincere. When I read the words it hit me that sometimes all a person needs is a good warm hug–not advice … Continue reading →
For the last two weeks, I have had a darling teenaged Japanese student named Minami, staying with me as part of a student exchange program through Educational Consortium Institute here in California. It has been such a delightful time for me and I can tell it has been for … Continue reading →
My mother was ‘on’ me all the time as a child. “Smile and say something nice,” she’d prompt. I remember being annoyed. Maybe I didn’t feel like smiling or saying something nice! So there. But here I am (age five) with Mom (on the right). She must have just … Continue reading →
Some friends brought me flowers and a card to celebrate a talk I gave at a meeting recently. The front of the card read: “We’re all in this together.” I smiled and nodded. SO true. We are all in this together, whether we admit it or not. We’re part … Continue reading →