Being Who You Are

Periodically I read this letter and wonder who needs to hear encouraging words. This is a long one…but take only what YOU need. Dear Granddaughter, I have been thinking about who you are.   You are smart; you are beautiful; you are kind and generous (btw, no one is 100% on this);  you are clever and […]

Winning…and Never Losing

I’ve never been a real athlete but I watch my share of sporting events. Other than March Madness, these events surely include someone I know and love. Moving as a spectator from track meets to lacrosse to baseball to football to crew to basketball to soccer to golf and back again gives me an opportunity […]

Joy and Sorrow in the Afternoon

I know! I know! I create suffering by my expectations. Still, I always expect the best. I’ve written before about my lifelong BFF. You can read about her here. I love this woman. In spite of her dementia, she is always thrilled to see me. Two weeks ago we had a wonderful time when I […]

A New Normal?

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall […]

The Letting Go

“To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal,  to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, let it go.” -Mary Oliver Aahh…it’s that letting go, isn’t it? I watch my sister […]

We are with you here…

“This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you.” Hafiz Dear Nephew, We are bringing you home today to be with your family in familiar surroundings. I grieve for our loss of you but I do not grieve for you.  I rejoice for all that you are and all you […]

Look on the Bright Side

Hmmm…not so much, huh? I know there are times I seem unfeeling and inattentive. Part of it is my personality. Who wants to go to those bad feelings anyway? More often, though, I think it is a combination of experience and a narrowing window of time. Do you notice that in older people? They are […]

Thinking of You

My Dear Friends. Losing a child is something that I can never contemplate. Sometimes I practice in my mind for the future – what would I do without my husband, or with the catching sorrow of losing another sister. I cannot and would not have those thoughts concerning my children and grandchildren. It is unthinkable. […]

Giving Thanks Today

Thank you, dear friends, family and the Great Spirit.* Our last week has been a roller coaster. I have thought of much to write, written some, posted nothing. The first thing I will do is let you all know that we are grateful that our daughter is alive. Nine days ago she stepped off of […]

Our Fathers (who art in heaven)

Dear Friend, Our lives have been entwined through many years, so I should have known that the death of your father would have a profound effect on me. Not because I knew him. Still, what affects you affects me. And it is the universal feeling of loss, of becoming an orphan at an advanced age […]