Holding True Hope
I write a lot about hope. I suppose it’s because I’m a huge believer in hope. As a former therapist and now as a life coach helping women deal with loss and grief, I know how shattering life can be and the necessity for holding onto hope. I think about hope this morning, when I […]
When Life Crushes Your Heart
While walking along the Atlantic Ocean, I spot an auburn-haired beauty bending, kneeling, spreading her hand on the sand. Is she simply imprinting her palm? Or is she holding the hand of God? Maybe she’s doing both. Because the God who can bind the chains of the Pleiades and loosen Orion’s belt (Job 38:31) knows […]
Out of Africa [About Covid-19 and Raising Kids with Special Needs]: Part 2
We returned to a world changed suddenly and dramatically. Masks, social distancing, school and business closings, job losses, blaming, shaming, raw nerves flaring. From bliss to this? Shocking, to say the least. So what can an awe-inspiring African safari and a frightful Covid-19 pandemic teach us about living with and raising kids with special needs? […]
Out of Africa [About Covid-19 and Raising Kids with Special Needs]
One year ago, on March 1, my husband, my 87-year-old father, and I boarded a KLM flight from Chicago to Tanzania (via Amsterdam) for a two-week African safari. After a year of planning and excited anticipation, we were about to experience the most marvelous part of creation we had ever witnessed (except for having kids?). […]
Hope Instead of Despair and Peace Instead of Fear
Our guide called Tarangire National Park the “Garden of Eden” for elephants. Rashid told us these elephants never leave their “Garden of Eden”. They don’t have to. Everything they want and need is right there. As we rambled through the “Garden of Eden”, we saw elephants gathering under sprawling acacia trees, finding shelter from […]
Finding Meaning & Hope in Life’s Burns
On a sunny spring morning with nearly no breeze, I stood in the still-dormant grass of the ditch just a half-mile up from our home. I watched that old, white farmhouse burn. Flames swirled orange out of every window and door. I felt the heat on my face from across the street. Our 25-year-old son […]
I Didn’t Want a Different Dream
My friend and fellow author, Jolene Philo, runs a helpful website dedicated to special needs kids and their caretakers. I’ve read all her books and have found her knowledge extremely helpful on my own journey in caring for special needs kids that led to my own special needs. After 21 years (this month) of caring […]
The Wonder Years & How to Move Through Our Doubts and Fears
Have you ever felt inept? Like you suddenly found yourself in the deep end of a pool with absolutely no idea how to swim? Have you ever felt scared of what life’s handed you? Awesome! Me too! I’ve been swimming (dog paddling?) through many challenges I thought beyond my capabilities through each decade […]
Holding on When You’re on the Edge
I’m not kidding. The first five minutes of the mule ride down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon produced a surprising panic in me. After all, I’m an accomplished equestrian, and I’m not particularly afraid of heights. Or, so I thought. I’ve hiked steep, narrow trails on mountains many times. Yet, I had no […]
Silver Hair and Wisdom Hard-Won
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV I sit across from him at our favorite Italian restaurant, waiting for our pizza to come out of the wood-fired oven behind […]
Coming Home
There’s so much I don’t know. So many questions. My head can swirl dizzy and drain right away lost until there’s nothing left. There’s peace in the letting go and asking myself again and again, “Who am I to know the mind of God?” Of course, I know the answer. My index finger runs gently […]
Why Falling Flat is A Holy Experience
We call him Mr. Lime because he’s the brightest of all on the slopes, dressed in brilliant green to match his Burton board. He reminds me often that he’s not one of us. “I’m a BOARDER, Mom! Not a SKIER!” “Yes dear, you’re not like the other four of us. I forgot. Once again.” He […]