Hi there. I’m pretty sure you are no stranger to grief. So even though your grief encounter may not be from losing your mom, you probably know the “strangeness” that comes with grief. It’s nothing you can prepare for, and it’s nothing you can practice in advance. When mom died just over a month ago, she had been in hospice for three weeks. My sisters, Julie and Lori, and I stayed in her cute little apartment with her, finding great relief and joy just being with her. Being present. And even though the hospice nurse told us she’d be Continue Reading
Let’s Bring the Sunshine!
He was one of the happiest guys I’ve ever seen. He bounced into Culver’s Restaurant with a broad smile and eyes that said, “Today is awesome!” This guy ordered a sandwich and fries and the ice cream of the day. Before his order was up, he was savoring his ice cream treat while waiting for the rest of his food. He leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying every lick and spoonful of that Snickers Swirl. He didn’t have earbuds in, but he seemed to be listening to tunes because he just kept bopping! Nothing extreme, just moving in the Continue Reading
Game Changer!
My intention is to live a full, fun, faithful, joy-filled life. My dad would call it a “This is livin!” life. (And he sure knew how to do that!) But you know what? Things get in my way. Things like complaining. Whining. Stressing. Yea. The silly things that can slurp the good right out of everything. Know what I mean? But. I’ve started responding to life’s moments a bit differently, and it’s a game changer! Here’s what I’m doing … I’ve added this phrase to my vocabulary, and I say it a lot: What a great Continue Reading
Dreams and Realities
Dreams are good. And reality is … real. So, may I encourage you with this note … Our dreams matter. Those things we want to see, do, write, experience? Let’s make them come true… Even though our reality doesn’t seem to be cooperating. Last week I shared that I want to re-learn Norwegian. Tap dance. Play more piano. I’m going to enjoy making those dreams come true this year, even though my reality as a caregiver for my mom means … … Sleeping through the night, getting a restful sleep, never happens. … Plans are hard to Continue Reading
Make Time for Happy
Dorothy was a hoot! I met her at a women’s retreat. She was wearing a beautiful cobalt blue blouse while she told me about her grandchildren. When I complimented her on her blouse, she said, “Well, my hair color changed this month and I had to find something to match it. I usually mix different hair colors, but this month I ran out of all of them. So, I just mixed what was left of everything I had. Now my hair color changes every day!” And then…she laughed. And shook her beautiful blue locks of hair. Dorothy’s joy came through Continue Reading
One Decision Can Change It
Have you found yourself in this predicament? In this storyline? I have ... We scroll through Instagram. Scroll through Facebook. Sometimes while eating ice cream. Often while eating ice cream. We get lost in our books - the heartbreak, romance, drama, redemption. We are simultaneously repulsed by and captivated by reality TV. (Have mercy!) We dream of homey country kitchens and cute gadgets as we watch the cooking shows. (Have you seen Master Chef Junior? Oh my word. Those ahhhmazing kids can cook with food I’ve never even Continue Reading
The Chicken Fat Song
It is a moment that cannot be erased from my memory bank, even after 45+ years. It was Phy. Ed class back in the 1960’s in the Climax School gymnasium. We had to wear a one-piece navy blue gym uniform with elastic around the waist, elastic around the thighs, and snaps up the front. Absolutely nothing attractive or flattering about it. Really? Are you serious? As if that wasn’t humiliating enough, we had to exercise to the music of … wait for it … the “Chicken Fat” song. Have mercy!! Touch down every morning – ten times! Not Continue Reading
Let’s Have Some Fun!
It’s the weekend! So many errands… An endless to-do list… And the house…well, a bit of cleaning seems a necessity. Yeah. There’s stuff that needs to get done. And … How about this … Can we take just a few moments to just Sit. Or Play. Or Dance instead? Are you finding that it’s really easy to take life a bit too seriously during this “Ha-Ha- It’s-Not- Spring-Yet” month? Me too. Good grief. I’m so ready to just lighten up. Throw off the heavy coat. Box up the mukluks. And then cut the list of to-dos in half. Let’s do Continue Reading
Life is Too Short to Wait
So, this will be new. Different. My perspective has shifted. And it’s a game-changer for me. You know how sometimes that “Ah-ah!” moment strikes you like a lightning bolt slashing through thunderclouds? That deep insight or brilliant idea seems to smack you on the side of your head and you can hardly believe how smart you suddenly became. And then there are those “Ahhhh…of course…” moments that sneak up on you. That deep insight or brilliant idea slides right alongside you and you can only pause and wonder why it took you so long Continue Reading
Toes, Girdles, and Faith Journeys
I never thought my toes would become a faith lesson for me. (I never thought girdles would either, but a moment of girdle-consideration provided insight into my faith journey.) Anyway… I’m reading Hebrews 10:23 today, and I realized…my toes are an example of my lack of trust in God’s faithfulness. Here’s what I mean… My toes look fine. But! My toenails can be pinchers. And when they start to pinch…OUCH! Little nerves in those little tootsies can create all kinds of trouble. When the trouble starts, I’ll make an appointment for Continue Reading
Please Remember
It’s a month filled with busy stuff. Endings and beginnings. And with those changes, we celebrate the events that make us smile, and sigh with the moments that disappoint. I’m guessing that more photos are taken during the month of May than any other month of the year. (Well, maybe December sends more images into the iCloud.) Those moments that we want to capture can be filled with so many emotions, can’t they? Continue Reading
This is Livin’!
Life is good. I believe that with every fiber in my being. I believe that good things happen to everybody. That love exists, God is faithful, and grace and mercy are ours for the asking. The trouble is, people and messy moments can get in the way. So, I’m learning. Learning how to reconcile my core belief that life is good with the not-so-good and you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me moments. I wrote the stories in this book to help me find my way. It’s a collage of moments where I’ve experienced life from different places, and have used Continue Reading
It is time to Refine!
Time to get-away… Time to laugh, deep from the belly… Time with girlfriends, old and new… Time to be entertained, educated, and inspired… Time to get un-stuck! Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Please come with me and enjoy that Time! The Refine Conference in Bloomington, MN on September 21-22, 2012. Come As You Are…Take Your Next Step with Purpose! You will experience… a place to be understood, a place to be accepted, a place to grow, a place to connect, and a place to laugh and have fun with great professional Continue Reading
Keeping Commitments: The Morning Wake-up Call
It’s that moment of decision. I’m in that beautiful state of relaxation. It’s warm under the covers. My breathing is steady and slow. Every muscle has decided to relax. But it’s time to get up. This is where the day starts for all of us. Making a decision. Do I keep the commitment I made to myself about getting out of bed so I have time for devotions, preparing for the day, and eating my oatmeal? Or do I give in to the bliss of slumber and then go crazy during the 2-minute “getting ready” drill before my first Continue Reading