Dear Journeyer, Today is a special day on so, so many levels! Most of you know it simply as Mother’s Day. But for some of us, it is so much more… …a more that is equally complicated, courageous, saddening, maddening, underwhelming and overwhelming… Though I’m not surprised, I hadn’t expected the outpouring of sharing that began after The Grief Toolbox … Read More
What Kind of Mother Has No Child?
Two of my cards are in the mail, the third is filled out and waiting for Warren to read. Radio stations are running contests while television commercials are packed with everything from flowers to chocolate to fine jewelry. Everyone wants us to remember our mothers, to pay tribute to women everywhere, females who know what that classroom is all about… … Read More
Healing and the Two Sides of Grief
Good morning, Journeyer! This morning I am coming to you from the first National Hope and Grief Convention being held at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis! Warren and I set out in our trusty, rusty old van when I finished work on Wednesday, spent the night in a Super 8 in Ohio, and finished the few hours under bright sunshine … Read More
Healing and the Two Sides of Spirituality
One of the key elements in The Five Facets Philosophyis the spiritual facet. I chose the term spiritual over religiousbecause each of us is born with a spiritual essence. Though organized religion attaches itself to spirituality, our spirit is not linked inherently to organized doctrine. Our spirit is our very essence; at its core it includes things like our compassion, … Read More
What Kind of Mother?
Two a.m. Twenty-four years ago. One of the most equally exciting and excruciating times of my life began: Child labor. Some thirteen hours later, time that included sleep in spits and spurts, the timing and logging of contraction intensity and duration, a full breakfast, and a walk in the overcast, cold and drizzling day, my firstborn arrived into this … Read More
My Three Sons
This past week is a bit of a blur, Journeyer, and I can’t believe it’s Sunday! Then, again, I’m so freaking HAPPY that it’s Sunday!! Why? Because I’ve been counting down the last fourteen days until I could spend an entire week with my two boys. Big Guy’s task had been to find one college he wanted to visit over … Read More
The Wait is OVER: Digging for the Light is HERE!
Today’s THE DAY, Journeyers!! I’m excited and honored and nervous and happy as all get-out… If you pre-ordered the Nook version, it’s waiting for you now! The Kindle version went live a few hours ago! And you can order the print version here. The paperback link hasn’t quite made its way to Amazon’s search database, but should be there within … Read More
Family, Fun, and Holiday Festivities
Beauty and Fave made it home safely… School’s out for a glorious SIXTEEN DAYS! Our home has been filled with laughter, love, and liveliness… Rousing games of the silliest sort of Mario fun… and, of course, an occasional serious discussion or two… signs of continued growth and healing for all of us… The stockings are hung… The shopping is done… … Read More
Dear Hopeful, 5 Steps to Heal Your Hurts
Last night I clicked on a link that posed a question like “What’s holding you back from living your dreams?” I don’t often participate in those types of internet polls but this one drew me in because it was from Tony Robbins. After a few brief questions something like “Do you make friends easily or do you stand against … Read More
On Martin Luther King, My Mother, and Killing Them with Kindness
Journeyers, I’ve just learned of She Writes’ request for entries to their Three Minus One essay contest. The call for stories involving child loss is definitely in my wheelhouse and today I’m hard at work preparing an entry worthy of the topic. As I write, millions of Americans continue their commemorative celebration of Martin Luther King’s “I have a … Read More