I was standing in the shower sobbing. With the fan on and the water running, it was the only place in the house I could hide until my torrent of pain had been released.
Never before had I needed to expel so many emotional toxins from my system. And never have I needed to again. But back in May of 2015, ... Read More
What feelings arise when you read the name Donald Trump?
Does it create a knot in your stomach? Do you feel pride in our president? Or are you feeling numb to politics in general?
There is a young woman in my town who is one of the kindest, most gentle people I have ever met. I got to know her several years ... Read More
People often ask me for ideas about doing random acts of kindness. They want something that doesn’t cost a lot or is perhaps free. Something that will be impactful, but not too time consuming. Something that the whole family can be involved in or an act that will create a bond with a difficult coworker.
A quick Google search shows no ... Read More
I went to visit a friend in prison a few weeks ago. It was the first time I had been in the belly of a correctional facility since I was a child. Back then, I went with my mom to visit her husband. This time, I got to escort a young friend to see his mom.
Two different prisons, one for ... Read More
Every time I talk to my friend, Tom, he mentions how kind the people are at the Roger Maris Cancer Center. Valet parking, a lovely receptionist, smiling staff members … Tom makes it sound a little like the Ritz Carlton, which always makes me laugh.
Tom doesn’t have cancer, but he’s in his 80s and his blood is giving him a ... Read More
Back when my now-teenage daughter was 7 or 8, we got to experience the grand tradition of Girl Scout cookie sales.
I don’t know how it works these days, but back then we had to estimate how many cookies we could sell and then order them in advance. Jordan has always been a go-getter and this experience was no exception. She ... Read More
“It’s not a person, it’s just a dog.” I remember thinking those words when I had to put my beloved Robby Dog to sleep several years ago. It didn’t seem right to have such intense grief, and yet there it was.
Anyone who has lost a pet understands in an instant the immense loneliness that comes when you walk into the ... Read More
In the beginning of January, Rebecca Somers boarded a plane in State College, Pennsylvania, heading for Detroit, Michigan.
She had no idea that what she was about to witness on that airplane would give her a voice reaching hundreds of thousands of people, reminding them to hold onto kindness.
Here’s her story.
“True story: As I sat on the plane, I talked with ... Read More
Super Bowl Sunday: the best time of year to buy a big-screen TV or football-themed paper plates. The hype behind the biggest game of the year has become its own beast. This year, the cost of one of those 30 second commercials we all love to watch will go for $7.7 million. Yikes.
Back in 1990, a seminary intern at a ... Read More
I’ve mentioned before that my husband affectionately calls me Gordon Leadfoot when I drive. It’s his humorous (to him) way of combining one of his favorite musicians with my tendency to always be in a hurry.
Several speeding tickets to my name, I’ve gotten much better at obeying the law, but there are still times when I feel like my absolute ... Read More
