Each morning when I arise, I get a cup of coffee--French Roast, black-- and head outside for a walk. This is the prayer that starts my day: "In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:3 NIV Photo by Jonathan Petersson on … Continue reading Sweet Anticipation
Hope
Hope: The Feathered Thing
"Hope is the thing with feathers- That perches in the soul" I wish I could claim those words as my own; but I'll give the credit to American poet, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886). Those are the opening lines of her work (254) that she wrote in 1861. This is the poem in its entirety: Hope is … Continue reading Hope: The Feathered Thing
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
Just Enough Encouragement
At almost 91, Mattie Belle is one of my oldest readers. I've known her since I was in ninth grade and became friends with her daughter, Delores. I was so touched when she sent me this handwritten card after she read my memoir. Delores told me that when her mother finished my book, she loaned … Continue reading Just Enough Encouragement
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
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
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
Share Your Cancer Story
“Come on in and join the party!” my friend Mary, the birthday ‘girl’ and host, welcomed me. She was in the midst of checking the beverage coolers, taking care of her guests. It was Saturday night and I was ready for a break from my growing lists of tasks: next steps in publishing my memoir, … Continue reading Share Your Cancer Story
New Beginnings: Moving Beyond the Gap
In last week's post, I left you sitting in The Gap, encouraging you to allow yourself to feel that anxiety that comes with uncertainty, finding a resting spot in that trough between Endings and New Beginnings (see Forced Endings: Struggling in The Gap) New Beginnings is that last stage of Bill Bridges Map for Change where … Continue reading New Beginnings: Moving Beyond the Gap
The Plans I Have for You
January is a month of looking ahead and planning for the year. We make work goals and vacation plans. I dream about where I’ll take my solo journey, my pilgrimage. This year, I have the excitement of anticipating the birth of my first grandchild, a baby boy – a new chapter of life about to … Continue reading The Plans I Have for You
Connie Rosser Riddle 