Tag: family

I got back from LA late Saturday night. The whole family was wide awake and practicing their best (loudest and highest) opera voices.

The next morning I went out to collect a week’s worth of mail. No one thought to bring it in, or maybe they knew I would get a kick out of seeing how many things our mailman, Kevin, ... Read More


The window in front of me when I write is immense. My office is in a sunroom, so whichever way I turn my head, I see nature.

The sun is starting to get out of bed a little later each morning, so most days when I walk into my office, it’s dark. An interesting reflection is created in the windows ... Read More


There is a beautiful unfolding of compassion and creativity happening in our world! I’ve been asking readers to share their coronavirus stories of kindness so we can all see the amazing outbreaks of goodness. Andy Smallman from Seattle wrote about having “Beer with Granddad.”

“The most important thing for my parents, ages 85 & 86, is family. Living in a retirement ... Read More


There is a woman who lives in my former town of Athens, Ohio. She makes the most delicious smelling soap and is pretty famous, although she would never admit to it.

Her name is Space and her company is playfully called Space Cadet Soaps. Space recently shared her musings on kindness after receiving an unexpected thank you ... Read More


They say you either had a good childhood or a good story to tell. Andrea Abbate, from Glendale, Calif., says she has the latter.

Her childhood was terribly traumatic, but as she bravely shares with us, it was an act of kindness during that time that saved her.

“When I was 10, my father had a drinking problem that would sometimes end ... Read More


I’m about to go dark on you. Not dark as in a trench coat, heavy boots and lots of black eye liner. I’m about to say goodbye.

Okay, that was a touch overly dramatic of me. Let me try again. I’m going to dedicate this summer to writing a book that will be released by Baker Publishing in 2020. I’m going ... Read More


Have you ever found a penny on the ground and thought, “WOO HOO! I’m rich!”

Yeah, me neither.

I do like pennies though. Several years ago I got something in my head about pennies from Heaven so now when I find one randomly lying on my laundry room floor I think about how much God loves me.

That’s a nice feeling.

Saul has a ... Read More


If you spend any time giving thanks with other people this week, you’re going to run into a lot of things that make you feel less than thankful.

For instance, you create this fabulous dinner and then all the small children in the room ask if they can have chicken nuggets.

Or maybe one member of the family gets a little ... Read More


How is it that things can look so drastically different based on our ever-changing outlook?

Like the little park bench that’s tucked along a pebble path and surrounded by colorful blossoms. It looks so quaint and inviting, until that becomes the place where your boyfriend chooses to dump you.

Then it looks rusty and worn out and covered in bird poop.

Some things ... Read More