It was Tuesday morning. Better than Monday or Friday the news coverage had advised when they showed the long wait at the DMV-- Department of Motor Vehicles. I couldn't believe I was having to subject myself to the pain of standing in that long line. I'd sent in my renewal form earlier than usual. But a … Continue reading Mercy at the DMV
Breast Cancer Survivor
I Don’t Have Time for That
It was a Sunday night and I stood at the edge of the dance floor next to Dee. She'd recently learned about my separation and told me about a support group, DivorceCare for people going through divorce. "I think you'd find the group really helpful. I've been leading the one in my church for years … Continue reading I Don’t Have Time for That
We Are Created to Thrive
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
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
