Author: nicole

A car crashes into a crowd of people standing up against white nationalist protesters.

What’s your first reaction?

Do you lash out in a flurry of hateful words over social media, adding more negativity to the situation?

Do you hide under a blanket on your couch, binge-watching Netflix so you don’t have to risk seeing more bad news?

Do you go about your daily ... Read More


A few weeks ago, I posed a question about the difference between helping others because it’s the “right thing to do” or because you want to do an act of kindness. I’ve already published some answers in this column, but I received one more letter in the mail that I couldn’t let go before sharing with you. It’s from Jean ... Read More


I’d like you to meet Ann. Ann is a professional photographer. She took all the photos of my bare chest during reconstruction for my upcoming breast cancer book. She’s used to seeing me naked. That’s why she has no problem walking into my house while I’m still in my pajamas, and I have no problem letting her.

Besides being a rockstar ... Read More


I’m a project starter. How about you?

A project starter is a person who gets all excited about cleaning her closet. She throws everything onto the bed and sorts through it by making three piles (give, save, toss).

She puts the “give” and “toss” into black garbage bags, then walks out of the room because she decides she is hungry.

Several hours later, ... Read More


I walked into the gas station with my debit card in hand. “Hi! I had fuel on pump one.”

The young woman behind the counter looked at her register and then looked at me. “Which pump?”

“Pump one.”

Again she looked at her screen, this time with a confused little arch to her eyebrow. “I’m sorry, but there’s no balance on pump one. ... Read More


In our house, we don’t use the word “hate.” It’s too strong. It’s too damaging. It’s too permanent. However, if I’m being honest, there are a few things I hate.

I hate food and I hate exercise.

I have a love/hate relationship with food that goes back as long as I can remember. I don’t like to prepare food or think about ... Read More


The Bible tells us not to fear something like 365 times— one time for every day of the year. Some theologians argue that’s not exactly true, but it sounds good so I’m going with it.

Actually it doesn’t really matter to me exactly how many times we’ve been told. I’m a mom, so I figure if I’ve said it once, that’s ... Read More


If someone tells you to “go fly a kite,” you can pretty much assume he or she is not leading with kindness and a future get-together is not in the works.

Much like the phrases “bug off” or “take a hike,” the origin of “go fly a kite” is a little hazy.

Some people believe it came from the stock market crash ... Read More


There are moments that the words don’t reach…

My daughter and I sat in the balcony overlooking the stage as Angelica sang these words.

There is suffering too terrible to name…

All of a sudden, I wasn’t watching a show about Alexander Hamilton. I was caught in my own thoughts.

The moments when you’re in so deep…

Have I ever been there? Have I ever ... Read More


Have you ever thought, I’m almost there! Only to realize that you’ve still got so far to go?

I went to a waterpark recently. I’m a big believer in amusement parks with roller coasters. Waterslides, not so much.

My son, Charlie, is a fan of all things fast and tall, so I put on my three piece swimming suit (top, bottom and ... Read More