Happy Valentine's Day... We all love love, but love is messy. In a week that began with our niece going into early labor, from childbirth on life is filled with messy moments. In the after-school enrichment program at PAWkids, the kids collaged their response to the question, "What does love feel like to you?" We also made spin-art [...]
Good morning... One sentence lingers from yesterday's post, Never Seen This Before. "As I looked up and around, to my surprise, we were surrounded by a huge flock of red birds." Never having seen this many cardinals all in one place, I came home from the snowy walk with our dog and googled the question, "Do cardinals live [...]
Good morning... Last week, I walked our golden retriever mix to the horse farm in the flurry of our second Atlanta snow of the season. The flakes were light, airy, gorgeous coming down. As I rounded the familiar trail, I saw something I have never seen before. I noticed a cardinal. Then another. Another. And still another. As [...]
Good morning... Doodling artist Grant Snider, creator of Incidental Comics and picture books, describes himself as a "keeper of sketchbooks, loser of pens." I absolutely love his uniquely creative work. For me, this series of comic book images entitled "Morning Light," these images beg an essential question. "The morning sun doesn't care what is warmed by her radiant [...]
Good morning... As we hosted a prayer vigil for Audrey DeShelter on Sunday and we gathered to celebrate the unique life of Mary Lynne Hamilton on Monday, one thing that repeated itself again and again was the word hope. Between the two powerful experiences of Christian community, a friend tucked into my day a little poem. [...]
Good morning... Notre Dame 27. Penn State 24. Having fallen asleep last night watching the game, I just woke to check the final score. Amazing! Audrey DeShetler's team won. Having reserved a $150 student ticket, Audrey will be going to the National Championship game to cheer on her Fighting Irish. It was certainly a high for Audrey in [...]
Good morning... After receiving word of the heartbreaking loss, I immediately texted my friend, "I just heard the horrible news. Please know that Steve and I are with you in Spirit, lifting you in prayer. Let us know how we might come close to support." "Thank you, Sue," came her quiet response. The next morning, I texted. "I [...]
Good morning... In retrospect, we learned a terrible truth. Around 3:15 am on New Year's Day, a terrorist mowed down innocent people with a speeding pick-up truck in the celebratory streets of New Orleans. At the very same time, I was up writing yesterday's blog post, Practice Falling In Love. I was guided by the Spirit to share [...]
Good morning... "I want to share this tune written by my nephew, which was released yesterday," a friend wrote on Saturday. "He's a father of three neat kids (15, 17, 20) and recently divorced. He's reflecting on his hope that his kids know that the time they spend together outweighs any of the mundane daily 'stuff.' Definitely comes [...]
Good morning... In the photo above, the words on the wall say it all. "This is our happy place." The generosity of people in our community astounds me. Bags of donated items for our annual Secret Santa shop for the PAWkids after-school program appeared at our doorstep all weekend long. I felt the holy privilege of touching each [...]
