Widowed Fathers Reaching Out

April 23rd, 2013
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I know a few widowed mothers and have great respect for how they handle the role of single parent.I don’t know any widowed fathers so I have always been curious about how they juggle the demands of raising children and handling their work careers.
I imagine that a family member helps them; maybe a mother, a sister or even a brother.  Or maybe the fathers had already hired someone to help them when their wives sadly became too ill or were weakened by treatments.
But after reading the insightful New York Times story below, I found that widowed fathers and … Read More

Seaching for Serenity

December 17th, 2012
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As we try to find a way to deal with the tragic stories in the news about the Newtown, Connecticut shootings, let us try to find a way to take a break from the pain. A new work week begins and Christmas is close just a week away.  The juxtaposition of the Newtown stories, the social media dialogue; television and newspapers stories covering gun control, the state of mental health and parenting issues in the United States against the backdrop of Christmas decorations and music is jarring.I find myself turning off the television and only reading parts of stories because… Read More

Offering Hope

October 1st, 2012
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My family currently has a number of medical situations happening and this past weekend was spent checking in with various people to see what I could do to help the caregivers.  Each situation is stressful for different reasons and the caregivers are doing fantastic jobs but they can’t do it all by themselves. I think I’ve mentioned this in previous posts but I think it’s important to say it again:  listening is a gift. When others come to us with their pain or their joy, I think it is a time for us to show them respect by quietly sitting,… Read More

Still I Rise By Maya Angelou

September 6th, 2012
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Oh, Maya Angelou, you are one talented and wise woman! Her poem, Still I Rise, tells us about what it means to face life’s difficulties with courage and patience.  Staying committed to walk your journey and refusing to give up is not easy, but as long as we can take that first step and reach out for help, it can be done. Take Maya Angelou’s hand, read her inspiring thoughts and feel her strength in the following verses: Still I Rise By Maya Angelou You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me… Read More

Nature Girl In Search Of Healing

August 27th, 2012
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Courtesy of The Magic Onions I love this picture! Serene and peaceful, can’t you feel the healing power of the flowers?  The first time I saw it, I mentally slipped into the photograph and felt the aura of  its calming vibe.  I could practically smell the beautiful flowers in the shape of a majestic sun surrounding the Nature Girl. Ommmmmmmm.  The healing is starting and it can happen for all of us but we need to be patient.  Healing takes time.  The most important thing about restoring your mental and emotional health after the loss of a loved one is… Read More

Two Surprises in 24 Hours

July 26th, 2012
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Sometimes rebuilding your life is just plain hard.  Today’s choices are not the choices I want and, try as I might, I can’t steer things to go in the direction I want. This post is not about whining.  That would be unproductive. Instead, this post is about how I still need to work on being patient.  Life is about grabbing opportunities but then it is about dealing with what it feels like when the opportunity doesn’t work out the way you planned.  It’s about the twists and turns of life and how I need to get better at accepting and… Read More

Reach For The Stars

July 25th, 2012
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Every great dream begins with a dreamer.   Always remember, you have within you  the strength, the patience, and the passion to  reach for the stars to change the world   ~ Harriet Tubman… Read More

Happy Birthday Mommy!

April 4th, 2012
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Mother and Child By Pablo Picasso Today is my Mom’s 81st birthday and I truly hope she has a relaxing day. My Mom did an incredible job of raising six children who were born very close in age.  There is only seven years between me (the oldest) and the youngest child.  There is a set of twins in our family and one of my sisters and I were born in the same year so we are the same age for a month.  Think about taking care of six children all by yourself: the logistics, the time, the energy, the patience… Read More

Something To Think About

March 1st, 2012
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In the midst of your grieving, be patient with yourself and others   and   do something kind for yourself each day.   Be sure to ask for help when you need it.   You are loved!… Read More