I wonder what kinds of attitudes I’ve left strewn around this past week? Little bits of me, of remembrances … for better, for worse. (Of course, I’m prepping this blog post early, with all sorts of good intentions … but I’ll reread it at the end of the week, with perspective and conviction.) But I digress. (And let’s admit it: …
In Others’ Words: Progress
Sometimes progress is hard. It’s tears. And throwing myself on the floor in a virtual old-fashioned wail of a temper tantrum. And sitting in silence because there … are … no … words. And venting the emotion that won’t be exhausted no matter how much I hash it out. Again and again and again. But sometimes, oh hallelujah! Laughter is …
In Others’ Words: Error
This quote by author George Saunders came from a college commencement speech he delivered at Syracuse University this past May. When I read Saunder’s speech, posted in the New York Times, I stumbled into this quote — Err in the direction of kindness — and knew I’d be posting it on this blog. Erring in the direction of kindness. A …
In Others’ Words: Reflect
My friend, author Edie Melson, stopped me in my mental tracks this weekend. In a post titled “Only Still Water Reflects,” posted this past Sunday on her blog The Write Conversation, Edie wrote of the busy-ness of life, and how a recent seven-day vacation at the beach helped her realize that only by slowing down, by living in God’s rhythm, can …
In Others’ Words: Remain
Circumstances are powerful. For all their changeability, circumstances have one steadfast quality: They can change me. I can start the day off feeling settled, self-assured, at peace with myself and others. And then circumstances do an about-face … or maybe they do a complete end-over-end. And suddenly that oh-so-confident me has left the building. The whole “Who am I?” question …
In Others’ Words: Love is …
I’ve come across many a “Love is …” attempt to define an emotion that is, in essence, undefinable. Even the “Love is patient, love is kind … ” distillation so often read during wedding ceremonies, often stumps me before I get very far into the verses in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient … kind … it does not envy …
In Others’ Words: Live Well
It’s been a week. A good week … but one of those fasten-your-seat-belts kind of weeks. And I don’t know about you, but it’s Friday and I’m feeling all “Whew!” and “Whoa!” and “When can I have a nap?” And then it came time to write this post. And I’m thinking: Which quote do I pick? How do I want …
In Others’ Words: Thoughts
I went to college as a special education major. I’d always had an interest in sign language and braille. And after visiting Gallaudet University, a college for the deaf and hard of hearing in Washington, DC, while writing a high school report, I selected special education as my college major. That lasted all of one semester. Why? Because I asked …
In Others’ Words: Chosen
God has picked me. God has chosen me. All those times I felt invisible . . . ignored . . . unwanted . . . less than . . . God wanted me. If only I had worried less about all the people I was trying to please, jumping up and down, waving my hands, shouting, “Hey! I’m over here! …
In Others’ Words: Smallest
I am still trying to find the words to describe the birth of my granddaughter, Alison Elizabeth, on Wednesday, July 24. I’ll let you know when I find them. All of my emotions seem to find their expression in tears … and silence whenever I hold this miracle in my arms. I’ll be spending Friday welcoming her home … and …