May our troops in harm’s way be protected. May their loved ones at home be comforted. May the children listening to bombs and explosions and gunfire know in their heart that that’s not the way it’s supposed to be nor the way it has to be - may their fears be calmed this night and…
I Believe
My youngest is eight years old and all throughout this season I’ve been a bit melancholy. I suspect this is the last Christmas where she’ll believe in Santa, and it makes me a little sad. I’m frankly surprised we made it to this age with that magic intact. In years ahead there will still be…
Votes and Compromises
Three years ago today I saw these images for the first time. They were shocking, and they made me angry, and they just made me really sad. I simply could not believe that a country full of mostly good people would elect a man who so poorly treats and talks about women. A man who…
What Spills Out
For every awful thing I can name that's upset our world, there are at least a dozen related things for which to be thankful. For every negative way our lives have been impacted, at least a dozen positives or silver linings. For every mean girl, at least a dozen kind girls. For every disappointment, at…
Compass or Baggage
Love is never ever ever selfish. Love is never present when there are excuses or narratives or explanations. Love does not coexist with those things. Love is black and white in terms of its presence. It's either evident or it is absent. If a person's behavior is selfish, the only love involved is the individual's…
Memories in Light and Dark
Today I am thankful for Facebook's memories feature. I started my day with the memory of finding this photo, taken on the day I learned Audrey was cancer-free. I was, and am still, so grateful I actually have a photo of that day. This picture is one of my reminders that God answers prayers, and…
Thankfulness: Change Starts Small
Gratitude is a choice. A choice we make each day, each hour, each minute. And I fail at it sometimes. I may not feel gratitude in this or any specific moment, but I am still capable of choosing what I want my mind to focus on and expressing gratitude. Today I am grateful for mornings…
Grief and Growth
Grief, according to Psychology Today, is the acute pain that accompanies loss. I’ve always thought of grief as a period of time following an event, but the older I get, or perhaps the more life experiences I have, I realize that grief is actually a lifelong process. Grief is not something people feel or experience…
Self Care and *Real* People
I don’t think I can scroll through social media for more than two minutes without seeing some sort of post about self care. Sometimes I read things like Be patient with yourself and I roll my eyes, and other times I see You are allowed to eat three donuts and I feel like nobody gets…
Forgiveness, Expectations, and Consequences
I watched the Amber Guyger sentencing footage tonight, and all at the same time I am moved by Brandt Jean's example and I am perplexed by Brandt Jean's actions and I am annoyed by Brandt Jean's words. Is Amber Guyger forgiven? Was the forgiveness Brandt Jean offered her the right thing to do? Does that…
