Experiencing God's love while living alone has not been some walk in a national park. It was the Mojave desert. It was the Alaskan wilderness. This time a year ago, I was just completing a weeklong stay at a mental wellness recovery center - Wellness, for short - to address a serious bout with depression.... Continue Reading →
Flying Solo: Learning to love myself
In the nearly two years I have lived alone, I have learned to live with Mary. While I knew my decision to wed at the age of 20 meant missing out on being single, I never understood until now the spiritual and practical value of being single. Let me first be clear that living alone... Continue Reading →
Packing light in life and in faith
As I prepared for my trip to Vegas last week, I was determined not to check a bag. Everybody who flies knows it's a hassle to round up suitcases from carousels. At the same time, packing a carry on for a 5-day trip requires ruthless purging. My cute boots and a new dress did not... Continue Reading →
Empty Nest. Full Heart.
Twenty days until I turn 60 and I can’t get motherhood off my mind. It is linked to gratitude I feel for my mother’s role in giving me life, for sure. But it is also linked to my own identity as a mother and how much it has changed in the past two years. It... Continue Reading →
What if a child is hard to love?
This journey to my 60th birthday includes a ton of reflection about my relationship with my mother. I have always felt deep down that I got on her nerves. We were so opposite. She was all classy and appropriate. I was talkative and brash. The only daughter in the family of four children, I wrestled... Continue Reading →
There is nothing on earth like a mother’s love
Thirty-six years ago today, my mom was removed from life support after suffering a brain aneurism. She fell ill three days prior while getting ready for work. My dad found her on the bathroom floor, the water running in the sink. She was still conscious then, able to answer questions asked by the EMTs. Dad... Continue Reading →