Tonight I'm sitting at home because of the Coronavirus aka COVID-19. I'm very disappointed because I'd planned to go with friends to a Western dance at a new venue with live music. It's a small thing, I know, compared to the big fears of folks catching this virus that's unfamiliar and has no vaccine. But … Continue reading Found Time: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Breast Cancer Survivor
The Law of Subtraction
Yes, the law of subtraction. That's what came to me at 3:30 that early January morning when my mind was overloaded, trying to figure out how to add another activity to my already busy schedule. My friends had insisted, against my protest, that I needed to be in a DivoceCare group now, no putting it … Continue reading The Law of Subtraction
Mercy at the DMV
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
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