This week we eased into 2026. I say "eased into" because I had a quiet New Year's Eve and I spent less time than usual reviewing 2025. Unlike previous years, I don't have a new list of resolutions or the announcement of a big goal for the year like I did in January 2024. That … Continue reading 2026: Focus on New Year’s Being
Christmas stories
Fear Not: Shepherds and Online Dating
This week on Christmas Eve, I attended a worship service like many other Christians around the world. The story of the birth of Christ was read and the verse that stood out for me was the following: And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy … Continue reading Fear Not: Shepherds and Online Dating
Christmas: Focus on Love
Now it's just days away from Christmas and time to finish all the preparations. The season's not as frantic as it was when I was working and raising our sons. But still, time goes by quickly and things I intended to accomplished will be left undone. This is the 4th Sunday in the Christian season … Continue reading Christmas: Focus on Love
Walking a Path of Faith
This Sunday will mark the second in the season of Advent and the Faith candle will be lit. For me, the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph on their sojourn to Bethlehem, is mostly a story of faith. The practical reason for this trip was to pay taxes. But the overarching story is to fulfill … Continue reading Walking a Path of Faith
Subtleties of the Season: Leaning into Hope
Over the days leading into Thanksgiving, I watched the changing of colors from the bright autumnal golds and reds to the muted monochromatic of beige and browns. Beauty is less obvious in the fading, but it's there in subtlety. While the bold oranges of Halloween get our attention, the muted colors of waning flowers and … Continue reading Subtleties of the Season: Leaning into Hope
Letting Christmas Go
I sit at my dining table looking out at my patio garden that is bare--except for the scattering of leaves I need to rake. Birds fly to my feeder, grateful that I just loaded it with a rich blend of seeds and peanuts, something to suit the taste of multiple species and the squirrel who … Continue reading Letting Christmas Go
The White Christmas of Childhood
Christmas is a season of remembering. The older we become the more we work to recall those earliest memories that have grown fuzzy and faded over time. As I watched the local evening news this week, every night included the weatherman's predictions for snow and if we'd have a White Christmas in central North Carolina. … Continue reading The White Christmas of Childhood
Shoring Up Our Joy
Over the past week, I've done two things that brought me joy. Storing up good things in my internal well helps to balance out the sadness of grief--that I spoke of last week in my post Struggling During the Holidays: Hope for Depression. Yesterday, I took lunch to my cousin. Growing up, she was like an … Continue reading Shoring Up Our Joy
Struggling During the Holidays: Hope for Depression
Last Sunday was the first in the Advent season of the Christian Calendar, a time of waiting for the birth of the Messiah--the incarnate God who would walk this Earthly journey. People of other faiths have their own traditions that are special at this or other times of year. When we're in these seasons of … Continue reading Struggling During the Holidays: Hope for Depression
The Gift of Time: Precious Moments with a Child
At Christmas, one of the things I gave each grandson was an "event with Grammy." This followed from asking my son, Brooks for suggestions on what to buy his boys. Brooks responded, "Give them a special time one-on-one with you." There are days during the year that I have time with each one alone--when they're … Continue reading The Gift of Time: Precious Moments with a Child
Connie Rosser Riddle 