Caring for a friend from afar – is it possible? In December, I noticed Carole’s wavering signature on her annual letter. In it, she wrote, “I was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig disease, last January. Since July, I’ve been in a wheelchair.” My heart ached for her. My oldest brother had ALS, too, so I know well the many …
Is Hope Lost?
“We lost hope,” I whispered to my husband sitting next to me in the church pew. Two of the Advent candles – Hope and Peace – had been lit earlier in the service. We were in the second row, so we could see them quite clearly. Hope caught my eye as it began to shrink and sputter. I felt unexpectedly …
Beat the Holiday Blues!
Can you beat the holiday blues? If so, how? Start by writing down your three most important values (e.g., family, fun, travel, inclusiveness, money, status, sharing and caring). Base your decisions on those values; they help you decide when to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Remember, especially, that this is a religious time, whatever your faith, so let your beliefs guide you …
Feeling the Holiday Blues?
Am I feeling the ‘holiday blues’? As my to-do list grows inches longer, I sense the increasing pressure, wondering, “How can I possibly get everything done?” Even our calamondin tree is full of ripe fruit, demanding that I make marmalade. Today! It’s time, then, to remember that joy comes not to those who have the shortest to-do list, but to …
Share Your Gratitude
Gratitude. I’m increasingly aware of how much I have to be grateful for with every year that passes. When I was young, I worried about my deficiencies, what I lacked, or what I wanted and didn’t have. It seemed that everybody was better off than I was. My parents, thank goodness, always focused on what they did have, and eventually …
I’m Frustrated with Technology!
I’m frustrated with technology in general, but especially with my Women’s Wisdom website. A few days ago, I added information on a book review on Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On! published in Emerald Coast Magazine. When I posted it, the letters were huge, probably size 24, when all I wanted was the normal 12. No matter what I tried, I …
Passing on the Inspiration
I was asked to give the prayer at our Council on Aging’s major fundraiser when neither the chaplain nor the rabbi could do it. Much to my surprise, it turned out to be a lovely, unexpected lesson in “passing on the inspiration.” Wednesday evening, I Googled “nondenominational prayers” and was shown a long listing. However, they all turned out to …
The Collective Power of Women
The collective power of women. What’s that all about? For women in this two-county area, it means that we have awarded 77 grants to 60 nonprofit organizations for a total of $8,318,000. And yesterday, October 15, we gave another $1,077,000 to ten more nonprofits! What an exciting and rewarding day, the culmination of a year’s work. How did this happen? …