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
depression
Finding the Beauty of Winter
Yesterday was what might be called a "miserable day" in our area of North Carolina; a gray, rainy, chilled-to-the-bone Saturday that could make you pull up the covers and stay in bed. Some areas of the country were blanketed in bright white snow, which while posing more road hazards and threatening electricity outages, can brighten … Continue reading Finding the Beauty of Winter
A Flicker of Hope
When I retired as a school nurse in March of 2017, I wasn't ready to stop working completely in my profession. I still wanted to do something to help others-- just not in the same way. After six months of considering my options, an opportunity opened up for me at UNC-- where I had my … Continue reading A Flicker of Hope
Creature Comfort
When I hear what has helped people to weather this pandemic, they often say "my pet." Last April when we were sheltering in place, I really missed my Golden Retriever, Madison who died in July of 2017. How I loved that dog and the way she stayed by my side. She was truly my little … Continue reading Creature Comfort
Finding Light for a Dark Path
This was a tough week. It started with my therapy session on Monday night. It had been a while since I'd seen my therapist so there was a lot to tell. He listened to me recount the sadness that had been predominant. It seemed that two recent losses had unloosed an avalanche of emotion within … Continue reading Finding Light for a Dark Path
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
Sad Stories along the Road
Not all the stories of the people in my path are humorous or entertaining; there are some that are heavy, racked with pain that is real and truly part of our human experience. Over the last few days we’ve been alarmed and saddened by the tragic suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, and the … Continue reading Sad Stories along the Road
Connie Rosser Riddle 