Well, life has tossed many lemons onto my path this past week, some were downright sour, too. So, since I don’t have an onion to cut open (though I managed to have myself a good cry today, without one!) I think I’ll spend some time focusing on something positive. So, here goes: I am grateful for: 1. A husband who … Read More
The Making of a Happy Liver
Today, my job has brought me to a maximum security men’s prison in upstate New York. I was one of six adults enlisted to transport seven at-risk students to the prison for an awareness program. Five inmates, including three murderers, participate in an intensive training program before going on to teach delinquent students, to try to reach them, to encourage … Read More
When Life Gives You Lemons: Cut Open an Onion
Yes. You read the title correctly: When life gives you lemons, cut open an onion. This thought came to me a couple of weeks ago, after I thought of the well-known expression, “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” This optimisim has been passed down for generations, a cliche recognized by nearly everyone. The assumption being that we can turn … Read More
Saying Goodbye
Many years ago, I began closing my written correspondences with “Soon.” How many times have you or those close to you said, “Later,” as you parted. How many times have you or those you’d love to see more often lamented, “It’s been far too long since we’ve seen each other!,” “How long has it been?” “We must get together soon!” How … Read More
Do-Overs
I had nearly completed a post earlier today, when I accidentally deleted the text, while typing a new word. As I watched the letter “r” appear in the blank box, I saw the “saving…” notice at the bottom. My index finger dove for the escape key. Success was not to be mine. I have enjoyed the automatic save feature because I become so … Read More
Oliver’s Story Retold
“What would God want with a twenty-four-year old? A young man that has—had—his whole life in front of him?” A man sitting next to me at a committee meeting posed the question to the woman in front of me. The boy he referred to recently died in an accident that involved a recreational vehicle. Preliminary police reports purport that alcohol … Read More
Hear My Fear
Two months ago, I gave a speech on the physical facet of loss and healing. “Yelling,” I said, “is an outlet to vent frustration, anger, and hurt. That rage reaction to those emotions, however, often signals an inner fear of something.” After I finished speaking, a man in the small audience said, “I’ve learned something new today. I didn’t know … Read More
Striking… something…
I’ve been trying to write this post for the past week… Last week (which is now two weeks ago!) was a week that kept giving, and giving, and giving… right on into this past week… My oldest son’s break-up with his girlfriend took its toll on all of us. Those of you who are parents of teens know all too … Read More
Fortitude
I cannot begin to convey how amazed and humbled I am by the vast response to the last post. Clearly I touched something in many as the post counter is rapidly rising. I hope you are enjoying my words, and, possibly, finding some message that benefits you. I have a deep belief that some of the stagnation that occurs in our healing process … Read More
(Your) “Time Heals All Wounds”
My heart goes out to the celebrities of recent who are facing strife of great proportions in their lives. Adultery. Infidelity. Cheating. Hurt. Pain. Anger. Confusion. Betrayal. Sadness. And the list of words to describe the emotions they will experience at some time throughout their ordeal goes on and on and on… Firstly they are entering a phase of their … Read More