This has been a season of stark contrast between life and death. During the past month, I spent time with my boyfriend, Chris and his family as they took care of his father during his last days. The atmosphere of that somber time was accentuated by the Erie, Pennsylvania weather -- cold, overcast, blowing rain, … Continue reading Dealing with the Seasons of Life
finding hope
Love and Light at Easter
On this Good Friday, I'm thinking back over the years of my family's traditions at Easter. In reading my post Easter Past, Easter Present written in April of 2019, I recall the days around this special holiday when I was a girl. I noted that as much as we all loved Christmas, there were things I … Continue reading Love and Light at Easter
HUGS FOR FREE: A Crazy Idea?
It was in June of 2023 -- not long after the pandemic lockdown. I was in Charlottesville, Virginia with a friend walking around the downtown area. It was a casual Saturday, people eating brunch at the sidewalk tables and browsing the crafted goods of artisans. Heading for a coffee shop, I almost ran into a … Continue reading HUGS FOR FREE: A Crazy Idea?
Invitation to a New Year
This is my Birthday Eve. At 2:10 a.m. I'll roll over into a new year and a new decade of my life. I've been preparing for this, reading and pondering what it means to be seventy. The book that's been most instructive is Ageless Soul: The Lifelong Journey Toward Meaning & Joy by Thomas Moore … Continue reading Invitation to a New Year
Faith, Hope, Luck, and Love of the Irish
Monday is St. Patrick's Day but the celebrating will start this weekend -- with parades and lots of pubs with live Irish music. Growing up in a Protestant church, I never knew about the Catholic saints. I now read that St. Patrick was a missionary who spread Christianity throughout Ireland during the 5th century. Photo … Continue reading Faith, Hope, Luck, and Love of the Irish
Bluebirds: Hope is the Thing with Feathers
This week the meteorologist on our local network announced that we're "halfway through winter." I found that both surprising and encouraging; winter has never been my favorite season and the sight outside my kitchen window is making me anxious for spring. Each morning when I got my cup of coffee, there was a male bluebird … Continue reading Bluebirds: Hope is the Thing with Feathers
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
Appalachian Trail Interrupted: Challenges Unforeseen
It's been two months since I left for the Camino; I'm amazed that that much time has gone by. In the days before I left, when I was walking for miles at Hunter St. Park with my loaded backpack, I gradually built up muscle and strength. During that time, I was visiting at my sister, … Continue reading Appalachian Trail Interrupted: Challenges Unforeseen
3 Tips for the Journey
During my preparation for the Camino, and later on the path, I was given three pieces of advice that served me well. Sometimes advice goes "in one ear and out the other," but these words of wisdom, from three friends, made for a more successful journey. Last February, when I was buying gear and going … Continue reading 3 Tips for the Journey
Connie Rosser Riddle 