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 →
A few years ago my husband and I were browsing a gift shop in Cambria, California, our favorite getaway spot during our marriage. We had just had a simple misunderstanding that morning about something I’ve totally forgotten now but at the time it seemed important to both of us. … Continue reading →
This week while tidying my office I paused in front of this painting hanging behind my desk chair and remembered when I purchased it so many years ago. It’s not spectacular in terms of art but I fell in love with it the moment I saw it on a … Continue reading →
You should see my desk–covered in colored sticky notes reminding me of all kinds of things: a deadline for an assigned article, a potential title for a possible new book, a phone call I must make, blogs to plan and write for January and February, a list of … Continue reading →
After my husband Charles died I decided to light a candle each day during my morning prayers and readings as a reminder that I am okay in the moment and always will be if I remember that God lives in me and I in God. I chose a little … Continue reading →
I was browsing some reading material this morning, deciding what I wanted to focus on for the day when I came across this saying from C.S. Lewis. I decided quickly that this quote was enough to focus on for a lifetime. A mere morning was not enough. Aiming at … Continue reading →
Recently one of my children and I had a phone conversation about a situation in life that begged to be resolved. I don’t like to give advice–especially to my adult kids–unless I’m asked so we merely talked about various approaches to setting things right again. I was surprised to … Continue reading →
I’m relaxing this week and I hope you are too! I won’t even suggest making a new year’s resolution. I simply encourage each of us to look back with thanks, and to look forward with anticipation, knowing that our lives and our dreams are in God’s hands. He will … Continue reading →
The theme for advent at Twin Lakes Church (where I’m a member) is ‘The Thrill of Hope,’ from the beloved Christmas carol, “Oh Holy Night.” In the bustle of gift giving and receiving, parties, and food and drink, it can be easy to overlook ‘the thrill of hope’–the … Continue reading →
As the Christmas holidays approach our thoughts turn to shopping and planning and singing and praying and cooking and wrapping and on and on. I feel the pinch already and it’s not even December yet. I’m also a bit ambivalent since it will be my first Christmas since Charles’ death, … Continue reading →