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
Breast Cancer Survivor
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
Grace for the Journey
In my post last week, "41st Anniversary: Not What I Expected" I shared the news that my life has greatly changed, that my husband and I have separated. Since then, I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from my family, friends, and readers. This time in my life has reminded me of … Continue reading Grace for the Journey
41st Anniversary: Not What I Expected
We're moving through summer and fast approaching August 5th-- the day that would have marked our forty-one years of marriage. I'd expected that David and I would grow old together as a long-married couple. We first became friends in eighth grade and maintained that friendship through college. Afterwards we dated for a year and and married-- to … Continue reading 41st Anniversary: Not What I Expected
Charis Coffee Company: Places in Our Path
Before each Solo Journey, I pray that God will bless me and the people and places in my path. In last week's blog, I talked about my dolphin cruise and the impact of those animals on my day. On that Friday morning before my cruise, I walked across from where Captain Johnny's boat was docked to … Continue reading Charis Coffee Company: Places in Our Path
First Year of Discovery
Today we celebrated my grandson, Baker's first birthday. In a house decorated with colorful balloons and fiesta themed tablecloth the day before Cinco de Mayo, we gathered cousins and other family members around our little one year old. Seeing his cousins 'helping' Baker open his gifts since they are older, reminded me of how the … Continue reading First Year of Discovery
Late Bloomers: Never too Old to Start
Last Saturday after we finished my Book Launch, I joined two of the women who helped host the event in the kitchen as they were finishing putting away the food. "We were just talking about how brave you are to go on those journeys by yourself," LaVerne told me. "Yeah, we don't think we could … Continue reading Late Bloomers: Never too Old to Start
Happy Birthday to Me!
Yesterday was my birthday. I spent the day with my ten-month-old grandson, Baker. We alternated between playing with his stuffed 'my first basketball' while watching the March Madness games and him practicing walking. He gave me my first "Happy Birthday Grandma" card and reminded me why I need to stay healthy. Being with him was … Continue reading Happy Birthday to Me!
Connie Rosser Riddle 