On Resilience

WHAT I KNOW AT 48

An old friend called this morning to wish me a happy birthday. “How do you feel at 48?” she wanted to know.

A Life Coach Rekindles His Faith

I was moved to share this post by Gary Hawk, who, along with his wife Cathy, founded Clarity International. Their company offers business and life coaching that fosters clarity of vision, energy and focus. Cathy and Gary make a powerful duo…which is why Gary’s blog post for Clarity caught my eye. Even life coaches feel vulnerable at times.

His Name is Levi

It’s been one week since we welcomed the newest addition to our family — Levi Saunders. He’s a squirmy, six-pound Havanese puppy who has a face that can melt even the hardest of stares. Not that anyone’s face is hard here. We’re all gushing with love and tenderness, even amid the new responsibilities and schedule.

Keep Going. We Believe In You.

In fall 2003 I bought my husband Brett a card with the following passage from Oliver Wendell Holmes on the cover: “I find that the great thing in this world is not so much where we Stand, as in what direction we are Moving.” There was no particular occasion for the card – no birthday or anniversary – but with Brett’s health and spirits plummeting, his life and our entire future at stake, the card was intended to be a note of encouragement. Keep Going. We believe in you. Our toddler twins and I gave him the card along with a cinnamon roll.

Go Forward

One, two, deaths this week – but also, new life.

I Wish You Love Actually

I rang in 2014 by watching the film Love Actually (2003 release). Who else loves this movie? For those unfamiliar, Love Actually is set in London and weaves together different tales of love. The film stars Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Laura Linney and others.

A Prayer for Peace

The world, I believe, is still beautiful. The sun fills my kitchen in Denver with pure light. If I close my eyes, I can feel the warmth of that light. And yet I feel pain,too. The kind of pain that almost belies the reality of words. Still, I will try.

Lessons on Acceptance

I ought to know that death pays no heed to the natural order of life. I first learned this lesson nearly a decade ago when my husband Brett died at thirty-nine years old. Until then, I’d been relatively sheltered from calamity, at least among family.