Good morning... "Friendship is one of the greatest gifts a human being can receive," observes Henri Nouwen's morning meditation from 1.7.18. "It is a bond beyond common goals, common interests, or common histories. It is a bond stronger than sexual union can create, deeper than a shared fate can solidify, and even more intimate than the bonds of marriage [...]
Good morning... I joyfully journal to the glow of our Christmas tree lights for the first time in 2017. I love this morning every year. These still, quiet moments reap the benefits of having finally chosen our tree and somehow gotten it home safely strapped atop our car, having struggled it centered into the stand then tying it upright [...]
Good morning... "Grief is just love with nowhere to go," lingers a line from his recent funeral. When we are face to face, we can show love. We can share love. We can express love. We can receive love. We can shower love. We can speak love. We can exchange love. We can hear love. We can touch love. [...]
Good morning... I remember our friend Beth Jordan sitting on my living room couch on Cochise Dr., enjoying our Gardenin’ Angels service group in January of 2010. That day, she was frustrated that her bad headache was not responding to Extra Strength Tylenol. A few days later the doctor diagnosed her tumor, and by week’s end she was having [...]
Good morning... As she journeys with her daughter who is battling cancer, I email her encouragement when the Spirit nudges. This morning, I unhook the painting from the wall in our half bathroom, an original painting a friend gave me after we studied Kay Warren’s book Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough. I turn over this peaceful piece of art [...]
Good morning... She was a year into her cancer battle when she shared a simple, anonymous story, a memorable story of wholehearted living. A TANDEM RIDE WITH GOD I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I [...]
Good morning... After reading and re-reading yesterday's post, "What do I want for Mother's Day?" I deepened my thoughts for everyday living. What do I really want each day of my life? I want me, the real me. I want my best self to keep coming around. I want to be the kind of person with whom family and [...]
Happy Mother's Day... "Every year my children ask me the same question," wrote a mother on her Facebook page. "After thinking about it, I decided I'd give them my real answer." She continued: "What do I want for Mother's Day? I want you. I want you to keep coming around. I want you to bring your kids around. I [...]
Good morning... As I was browsing the nearest Goodwill store, a framed print caught my eye. Beside a funky image of a woman chopped up in colorful shapes, I read these words. "I have too much to lose she said, if I cross that line. Like what? I said. She could not think of anything that day so she [...]
Good morning... "For the joy set before him (Jesus) endured the cross," explains Hebrews 12:2b (NIV). This is a good thing to remember as we walk into Lent. We all have different crosses to bear. The cross of grieving a loved one who has left this earth. The cross of a scary diagnosis and its various treatment options. The [...]
