I faced my fears. I’ve been afraid of heights since childhood, a learned fear from my mom - also afraid of heights - who constantly yanked me back or warned me against getting too close to anything high-up, railings in particular. On our anniversary, Dave gave me a card with a sentiment about adventuring through … Continue reading Taking Risks
Category: Joy
Sharing Stories Only You Can Tell
My mom died on February 4, 2023. Though she’d been declining over the past three years, when she left us it felt like a devastating earthquake, complete with aftershocks. Six weeks later, my sister organized a gathering Mom would have enjoyed: a garden party and lunch with her inner circle of dear friends. She arranged … Continue reading Sharing Stories Only You Can Tell
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Keeping Things Simple & Sunday Soups
We’re keeping things simple this season. It’s December 15 and we haven’t yet finished decorating our house for Christmas. The tree is up and lit, as it has been for about two weeks, but no decorations. We’ve hung wreaths outdoors and in. Our year-round home decor is green, and with candles burning in the kitchen … Continue reading Keeping Things Simple & Sunday Soups
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Add De-Light
Our Christmas lights went up the weekend before Thanksgiving, earlier than ever before. I noticed that a few neighbors had lights up and my heart sang in response. Holiday lights added delight and I wanted more. I also noticed that I couldn’t open a single email that had Thanksgiving in the subject line. As a … Continue reading Add De-Light
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Resilience
A tree in our neighborhood speaks to me of resilience. Its roots had grown under the fence so that they had to cut space for them, yet its canopy had withered. They called a tree company to cut it down. I always hate to see a tree go, but they didn’t cut it down completely. … Continue reading Resilience
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Why Smile?
To make eye contact and smile is a kind of prayer, and it changes you. - Anne Lamott Lamott’s quote about the power of smiling has been on my mind most mornings when I walk my dogs past others in our neighborhood: the gaggle of women, the power pairs, the man who limps alongside his … Continue reading Why Smile?
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Beautiful Compost
Even the compost pile can be beautiful. Last month I submitted two articles to two different publications within six days. Both took a lot out of me and involved revisiting pain (more than a few tears shed) to excavate joy. Important, deep, meaningful work. Energizing and exhausting work. Last week I heard that one of … Continue reading Beautiful Compost
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The Benefits of Paying Attention
I am over-the-moon that (in)courage has shared my article today. It begins: Last summer our family (my husband, teenage son, and I) took a month-long road trip through the United States as part of Dave’s pastoral sabbatical. We made a loop from our home in Northern California through the Southwest to Kentucky and back through … Continue reading The Benefits of Paying Attention
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Create a Safety Wall
On our recent trip to Kauai, we went snorkeling twice. We asked around for recommendations and chose two locations: Anini Beach and Lydgate Beach Park. We started near Anini, though I don’t think we found the recommended spot. The guys eagerly swam away. It’s been a long time since I’ve snorkeled, so I moved slower, … Continue reading Create a Safety Wall
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Goals, Habits, & My 22 for 2022 List
Several things came together in a short period of time that felt like synchronicity: Twice in one day I came across the familiar quote by Rilke encouraging me to “live the questions now,” which got me thinking about the questions that have arisen during this ongoing odd time of life. In the practice of choosing … Continue reading Goals, Habits, & My 22 for 2022 List
