With Halloween upon us, I find myself reminiscing on Halloweens past and an incident that happened so long ago. Because we lived in a sizeable, safe, family-friendly neighborhood, carloads of parents with children poured in from around our town, neighboring towns, and even from across the border of a nearby state! Word got out and every … Continue reading Bewitching Behavior
Personal Growth
Sneak Reading
Reading opened up a whole new world for me. I’m sure there was a time when I could not read, but I truly cannot remember it. There must have been children’s books in my home growing up, but the only one I can recall is the volume of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales.” And I can’t say … Continue reading Sneak Reading
Redefining Grief
“Grief is not always about death, but it is always about attachment and separation.” ~Kenneth J. Doka The initial loss of a loved one can be sharp and deep. I remember, in my early twenties, losing my 85 yr. old grandfather quite suddenly. He sat down to watch the evening news, fell asleep and never … Continue reading Redefining Grief
Ladylike
A friend and I recently reflected about the challenge of having been raised to be good, polite, good-natured, kind (often to our own detriment), understanding, and never-in-a-bad-mood, by mothers who displayed these characteristics in abundance. Not that this is bad; it feels great to be in a calm, loving household environment. But because our role … Continue reading Ladylike
Silver Linings and Gold Nuggets
I’ve always tried to put myself in their shoes when someone told me they had a diagnosis of cancer. I no longer have to imagine what it must be like. Instead, I get to experience it first hand. Don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly not something I would have chosen, but since I find myself … Continue reading Silver Linings and Gold Nuggets
My Angel
I had somehow gotten to the age of 22 without making enemies. I was the wholesome, fun, pleasant, never critical, girl-next-door type. In fact, I worked hard at being agreeable, and was under the illusion that everyone liked me. That was extremely important to me. I had grown up absorbing the message that what others … Continue reading My Angel
In Search of Authenticity 