Valentine’s Day may be what some people call a “Hallmark Holiday” but love is always worth celebrating whether you embrace all of the commercial hoopla or just quietly light a candle, give a meaningful hug or tap out a telephone number to connect with a special person. Love gives us hope. Love makes us feel… Read more »
Posts By: Mary Kate Cranston
Take A Deep Breath
Dear Resilient Friends: I have been away for awhile but have not forgotten about you. 2017 started off in a difficult direction for my family. Both of our parents have been ill, requiring hospitalization and additional involvement from me and my five siblings. We are striving every day to do our best to give loving care… Read more »
Merry Christmas 2016
Photo Courtesy of Victoria Magazine Just like you, I have surrounded myself this past week with rolls of wrapping paper, scotch tape, ribbons and layers of tissue paper as I have carefully and lovingly wrapped Christmas presents for my family and friends. Some of the presents made me smile for they brought back how I felt when I… Read more »
Me As Buddy The Elf
Photo Courtesy of Country Living This holiday season I feel a bit like Buddy from the popular Christmas movie, Elf. Remember the scene where Buddy the elf, who is magically played by Will Ferrell, travels from the North Pole to New York City to find his father and explains to his new family that elves try… Read more »
Give Yourself A Break
Giving is fun. Whether it’s something you meticulously made with your own hands or something you spent a long time searching for, giving to others is a wonderful feeling. I sometimes feel that giving a present to someone is more exciting than receiving. Watching the other person’s reaction while they are opening your gift is… Read more »
Still Life With Bread Crumbs – Fiction
I recently finished reading Anna Quindlen’s amazing book, Still Life With Bread Crumbs, and I can’t stop thinking about the unexpected plot that Quindlen beautifully develops and weaves into the touching story about an older woman, Rebecca Winter, who discovers through various hardships that it is never too late to change up your life when you feel it… Read more »
Thankful Hearts
Wherever you happen to be gathering today, may you be with people who have thankful hearts and giving spirits. The diversity of Thanksgiving menus offered today reflects the healing powers of food, love, family and friends gathering with one celebration in mind. Lasagna, Vietnamese soup or a traditional roasted turkey with all of the imaginable sides. … Read more »
Let’s Rise Up
My late husband, Tom O’Toole, as a young boy Good Morning Friends: So how was your week? I’m not trying to be flip. I am genuinely concerned. We live in a topsy turvy world and you would have to be stationed in some unbelievably remote part of the globe not to be aware of the election results in this week’s… Read more »
Simple Moments To Moment
Dear Friends, I recently found the below inspiration on one of my Instagram accounts and it really jumped off the screen for me: Just for today, keep it simple. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Look at your life for all you have gained rather than lost. Look at your path for everything you… Read more »
About Me:
A blog about moving through grief by developing resilience, practicing wellness & finding the wicked funny side of life. Widow. Mom. Writer. Dancer.
