“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.” ~ John Barrymore, American actor It’s delightful when happiness tiptoes up behind you, taps you on the shoulder, and then — when you turn around — yells “Surprise!” Yesterday that happened when … my daughter’s laughter mingled with her boyfriend’s my 10-year-old crawled into bed wearing …
In Others’ Word: Hero
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” ~Joseph Campbell, American writer & lecturer My friend’s son was killed in Afghanistan on October 22. As I write this, she is meeting the plane that brought his body back to the States. Her son laid down his life for others for others. For …
In Others’ Words: Friday
“Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday.” ~Author Unknown Ain’t it the truth? I tend to evaluate the week by what I haven’t accomplished. I look at my To Do list and see all that’s left undone. The result: frustration. Maybe I need to put a warning label at the top of my list. Something like: WARNING: It …
In Others’ Words: Home
“A good home must be made, not bought.” ~Joyce Maynard, American author Home. To acquire a home, there’s usually a transaction — a sale — of some sort. But wait a minute. Do you live in a home? Or have you merely purchased a house? Foundation, roof, walls, rooms … all these things make up a house. What transforms …
In Others’ Words: Yesterday
“No one is afraid of yesterday.” ~Renata Adler, American author I wrestled with those six words even as I typed them for today’s blog post. Wrestle with them still. Am I afraid of yesterday? No. But I am afraid of … the lingering effects of some of the choices I made oh-so-many yesterdays ago. I am afraid of … …
In Others’ Words: Celebrate
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” ~Thomas J. Peters, American writer Yesterday was a day of celebration for me as I held the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. I did my version of the writer’s “happy dance” around my house (several times) and shared hugs and laughter with my family. And, …
In Others’ Words: Kindness
“Kind words are the music of the world.” ~F.W. Faber, British hymn writer To think of my words as music … that gives me pause. When I speak, what am I adding to the melody others hear? Are my words kind–adding a gentle beauty to the world? Or do harsh words create a discordant ugliness? Scripture warns words can …
In Others’ Words: Small Things
“Be faithful in the small things, because it is in them that your strength lies.” ~Mother Teresa, founder of Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta Such a simple quote. All of fifteen words. And then, the question: What are the small things? If you’re going to be faithful, if these things are your strength … what are these oh-so-vital small things? …
In Others’ Words: Humility
“Life is a long lesson in humility.” ~James M. Barrie, Scottish author There’s a choice to be made as I grow up–and yes, grow older. Am I going to be all about me, me, me? Am I going to push myself to the front of the line, to the center of the stage–doing whatever it takes to ensure the focus, …
In Others’ Words: Miracles
“Maybe miracles are given not to prove anything, but simply to remind us that the physical world is not so solid and real and dependable as we think.” ~Dwight Longenecker, Catholic priest & author I believe in miracles. Yes, I do. Last night, my husband and I celebrated a miracle with our daughter, Katie Beth, and our son-in-love, Nate. (No, …