Knocked Over
Every day it feels like the world is slipping deeper and deeper into dis-ease. Chaos. Madness, even. Years ago, I’d talk about learning to ride the waves. These days, it seems more like learning to find the surface after being pummeled by a tsunami. What…
The Worth of a Woman
You think there’s been progress. Things aren’t ideal, but they’re better than they were. Until they’re not. Until there’s a slow slip that turns into a full-on mudslide. For me, it started with the overturn of Roe v. Wade. I’ve never had an abortion. Never…
When Your Soul Whispers “rest now”
Exhausted, I plopped back on the bed and sensed my nurse lean in and whisper, “Rest a bit now.” Although I wanted to, I also wanted to hurry the process – I was working so hard to bring my baby into the world! But she…
Pretty Privilege
Standing in front of the hotel mirror, the harsh lights creating weird shadows, I heard myself say, “you’re not young and pretty anymore.” It felt like a kick in the gut, but I had to admit, I wasn’t young anymore. I’d gone from being one…
Stupefied by Gratitude
It is good, every once in a while, to let ourselves be stupefied by gratitude, to cast upon ourselves a spell against indifference by moving through the world with an inner bow at every littlest thing that prevailed over the odds of otherwise in order…
Needing a Gentle Day
Even the pastor I’ve followed for years has surprised me with his reactions. His words sharp and angry and accusatory. Belittling. Mean-spirited. I’ve stopped opening most of his emails. It hurts my heart to read them these days. I expected harsh words, criticisms, even outlandish…
Reimagining the Holidays
Sending you prayers of love and peace during this holiday season! Before you read any further, though, I’d like to invite you to take just a few moments to slow down and just breathe. Notice the gentle in and out breath. You may have dozens…
Embracing Life’s Surprises: How to Handle Those Unexpected Curveballs
Life is full of surprises, sometimes delivering those surprises just when they’re, well, least expected . Recently, just a week before a milestone birthday, I experienced a TIA – transient ischemic attack – a mini-stroke. It was a jarring reminder that, despite my healthy lifestyle,…
Closer to the end
When Death Comes When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn; when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; when death comes like the measle-pox; when death comes like an iceberg between…
Aging Gracefully: Embracing the Journey with Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-being
What Does Aging Gracefully Mean? I think aging gracefully can mean different things to different people. To me, aging gracefully isn’t about necessarily about striving to look younger but more about embracing the natural changes that come with age, while maintaining a sense of fulfillment…
