Friends are great. They pull us out of our comfort zones and can rope us into almost anything — especially things we wouldn’t be brave enough to do on our own.
My friends routinely talk me into joining book clubs, Bible studies and 5K races. I’ve even had friends try to teach me to cook (too bad it didn’t stick).
I recently ... Read More
The heart of a child often sees and feels things we miss as adults. That’s why I’ve been highlighting how kids’ kindness is contagious this month.
I’d like to introduce you to one more special child who made a big impact in his short time. With Mason’s love for everything about superheroes, his parents, Ralph and Erin Sturms, continue to carry ... Read More
I learned something recently about my 13-year-old son. It turns out the tough guy has a deep streak of nostalgia.
Charlie spent the first 10 years of his life in Fargo. At the end of second grade, we moved him to Ohio. Five years later, we’re back in the Dakotas, this time in South Dakota. Charlie has been asking me since ... Read More
Four years ago in July, I had a breast removed. The diagnosis was stage 2 lobular carcinoma. To you and me, that simply means breast cancer.
It seems like a lifetime ago, but if you bring it up to my family, they still have a lot to say about that time. And you know what? It’s not all bad.
My daughter, Jordan, ... Read More
Do you ever wonder if your kids or grandkids are going to turn out OK? I’ve spent more hours than I can count worrying about what my kids eat (or refuse to eat).
I try so hard not to micromanage them, but gosh it’s hard. When we’re away from the dinner table, I wonder if they’re reading enough. Should we be ... Read More
When I was in college, I worked at a place called The Bridge Bar. It was appropriately named since it was indeed tucked next to a big bridge in a tiny town of about 200.
Being on the river, we had lots of boaters each summer, but my favorite customers came in on Sunday afternoons. They stopped by on something called ... Read More
It’s June, and yet if you happen to mention the past winter to anyone in North Dakota, you will still hear, “Uff da, the worst we’ve ever had.”
Sometimes they follow it up with, “I’m putting my house up for sale.” It’s unclear whether or not they are joking.
Fargo resident Avis Dolan knew she better get out of Dodge before her ... Read More
Have you ever heard of Jessy Haberman? Barb Haberman, a summer resident of Detroit Lakes, Minn., introduced me to the little boy whose kindness has truly become contagious.
“Imagine yourself at 4 years old having an infusion at a cancer center wondering, ‘Who are all these strange people and what are they doing to me?’ Then someone gives you a ... Read More
I celebrated my birthday at the beginning of May by asking people for ideas of little acts of kindness I could do on my big day.
It was fun hearing about all the ways people had celebrated their own birthdays in the past. My favorite ideas came from Pixie Neece, of Fargo, who gathered her friends and dedicated the entire day ... Read More
In case you haven’t heard (because I only mention it every 15 minutes or so), I won a car on “The Price is Right.”
I wish everyone could have something happen in their lives that brings them the pure joy that this surreal experience brought me.
Patt Jackson, of Duluth, Minn., had something happen to her recently that ... Read More
