Recently when I was in Asheville, I visited the studio of Matt Tommey-- a basket artist and founder of a mentoring program for Christian artist. I subscribe to his podcast-- The Thriving Christian Artist and find the episodes to be encouraging of my writing and my faith. His studio is in the River Arts District … Continue reading We Are Created to Thrive
Breast Cancer Survivor
Sisterhood of Support
Yesterday I saw the movie, Little Women. I've enjoyed that story in book, play, and now, movie forms. It resonates with me as the middle of three daughters-- especially since the main character is Jo March-- the second oldest, the writer, and the one who stirs things up. It was interesting to see each girl's … Continue reading Sisterhood of Support
My Christmas Guest
Last Monday, we sat together in a visiting area on the fourth floor of the UNC Cancer Hospital. My friend Delores and I talked, away from her sleeping husband in a room down the hall. I hadn't seen her since my Book Launch on April 6th. That day, I was surprised and thankful that Delores … Continue reading My Christmas Guest
A Time to be Nurtured
There are things I learned going through cancer that have served me well since that time-- now over nineteen years ago. One that came to mind on a hot day this past August, was the need to take breaks from your situation by getting away to another place. When I dealt with breast cancer, I … Continue reading A Time to be Nurtured
Thanking Our Unsung Heroes
October has been renamed Pinktober-- everything colored pink during this month in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness. I'm always aware of it since nineteen years ago I went through eight months of treatment for triple-negative breast cancer. This year I thought I'd do something different to honor this month: recognize some of the unsung heroes … Continue reading Thanking Our Unsung Heroes
Rays of Hope
It’s been four months since I learned my marriage would be ending. I look back on all the initial steps through each phase of the grief process. I know that grief is not ‘one and done’ that when we lose something or someone of importance, we work through that for a long time. While you … Continue reading Rays of Hope
Advice from a Sage: Cultivate Pleasure
Months before my retirement from school nursing, I sought counsel from my friend Jennifer. She'd retired from teaching and had a couple of years on that journey into her next chapter. She'd found her way from taking those first awkward steps to arriving at her new life. I shared with her my plans that included … Continue reading Advice from a Sage: Cultivate Pleasure
Sidetracked Dreams: Getting Back on Track
A year ago, I was working on the edits to my memoir including writing the preface. I thought a long while about what I would say in that opening portion of my memoir, how I wanted to speak to my readers. The paragraph that I 'sat with' for a long time was worded like this … Continue reading Sidetracked Dreams: Getting Back on Track
It’s Still About the Future
This week has been a time of reflection. Monday was supposed to be my 41st wedding anniversary. Instead, it marked the sixth week of separation from my husband. I'd dreaded that day, knowing the reality of it all would hit on that observance that was just ours as a couple-- not a family holiday or … Continue reading It’s Still About the Future
Companions Through Grief
Over the past week, I've continued to be touched by the support I've received from family, friends, and readers. It's been three months since I realized that I was losing my marriage. On the one hand, that's a short amount of time and it's still unbelievable; on the other hand, I've traveled on through a … Continue reading Companions Through Grief
