Good morning... One week ago today, we celebrated the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Now in the dark of night, I revisit a string of short video someone sent me, videos created to honor the vibrant life living on after the devastation of 9/11/2001. The Survivor Tree represents [...]
Good morning... Arriving from different places, at different times, embodying different life stages, our group of twelve made it to Sarria, Spain. At our kick-off dinner, we were both wildly excited and completely exhausted from crowded travel and a six hour time change. For about eight hours we flew [...]
Good morning... This week our blogs have focused on supporting one another, close friends and strangers, through the painful parts of life. A longtime friend wrote me a touching email about the loving support she received years ago. ****** Letters by Ella Herlihy In response to your post about how to love someone well when they are suffering [...]
Good morning... She wrote me after yesterday's post, Abby's Anniversary. "Sue, I don’t personally know any of these people and I’m reading your message with tears running down my face. I can’t imagine facing what they face. Is there anything someone who doesn’t know them can do to support? Obviously I’ve been praying for all of them. But [...]
Good morning... In the middle of the night I wrote yesterday's blog message, Abby. Audrey. Eliza. Then I climbed back into bed. After waking from my second sleep, I re-read Abby Smith's obituary and was surprised by the final line: The Celebration Service of Abby's life will be held on Sunday, August 21st at 3:00pm at Northside Church [...]
Good morning... Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops in immature nerve tissue, usually affects children under the age of five. In the spring of 2006, I began working at Northside Church in the Children's Ministry. Then in January of 2008, I became the Women's Ministry Director. Throughout my time at Northside, I have been deeply affected by [...]
Good morning... The same full moon shining through our trees is pouring light over Children's Healthcare of Philadelphia right now. Nineteen year old Audrey DeShelter is at CHOP this week receiving treatment for her cancer. Our Fab Five friend group planned to share lunch with Audrey and her mom tomorrow before she heads to Notre Dame to begin [...]
Good morning... With a kind and grateful heart, the Development Director wrote to me from Ignatius House Retreat Center. This week, we, as a written word community, tangibly supported an ISP retreat for women recovering from homelessness and addiction. We filled fifteen welcome bags for their private rooms and provided financial donations to offset the cost of this [...]
Good morning... Sarah Otto, the Retreat and Program Director at Ignatius House Retreat Center, reached out to me on Tuesday morning. "I realize I didn't text you about an upcoming ISP retreat!" she wrote. (Remember, ISP stands for Ignatian Spirituality Project, a program which offers quarterly spiritual retreats for people recovering from homelessness and addiction in our community). [...]
Good morning... Purple is the common ground created when red, white, and blue are combined with loving care. Purple taps into God's guiding power, creative, cooperative, collaborative. As I was pondering these thoughts, I was surprised to find and to follow an actual path in the woods clearly marked by purple blazes. On page 26, we pick up [...]
