Tag: homeless

I wonder how many opportunities for kindness we miss simply because we think, “It’s none of my business.”

I have driven past people without coats on a cold winter day and averted my eyes when someone was stuck on the side of the road. Have you?

Certainly, no one can do everything, but as the wife who sent in this letter explains, ... Read More


I am a rule follower. It makes me very nervous when someone uses a discount card that doesn’t belong to them or parks in an area that is designated for a specific business.

I do like to speed, but that’s another story.

My friend, Amanda, is also a rule follower. We both know that sometimes we need to bend a bit more ... Read More


We have a guest blog today from my dear friend, Christa (Miss Christa as we call her in our house). She moved to NYC from little ole Athens a few years ago. When she first moved, she saw everything through the eyes of an Ohio girl. Lately, she has noticed her vision narrowing, so she decided to do something about ... Read More


A letter came to my house the other day, but it wasn’t addressed to me. It was for a 12-year-old boy named Marcus.

No return address and stamped at a post office two states away. Hmmm.

“Hey, Marcus, you got some mail!” I yelled from my office.

“Me? Who’s it from?” he asked as he ambled into the room.

“No idea. Open it.”

As he ... Read More


When my son started bringing home information about his sixth-grade graduation, I thought it was cute. There would be a ceremony and a class party and even some donated prizes.

Then I found out some of the parents were giving their children gifts to celebrate the milestone.

I am all for using any excuse possible to celebrate life with ice cream, but ... Read More


I have yet to meet someone who says, “Nope. I’m not a kind person and I have no intention of changing.”

We might agree that we have a little work to be done in the kindness area, but generally people seem to think they are doing a pretty good job of treating others well.

In a study of 100 young people with ... Read More


There are certain people who come into our lives and make us better. Liz Schwarzel is one of those people. She’s a third grade teacher in Athens, Ohio. My son, Charlie had her as a teacher three years ago, and if I’m awfully lucky, Ben will have her next year. The kids affectionately call her Ms. Liz, but I get ... Read More


Are you done? Have you finished all the hustle and bustle that comes with creating the magic of the season? If so, good for you! (Now can you come to my house and help me?)

If not, take heart. Ironically, it’s in the midst of our craziest schedules that we are most blessed with the chance to show other people they ... Read More


A strange thing is happening. The kids are fed, the dishes are done (sort of) and the couch begins calling my name. Actually, it’s not the couch that’s drawing me in, it’s the television.

Ahhh, Netflix.

I’ve always admired the beauty of being able to watch what you want when you want it, but at the risk of sounding like an 80-year-old ... Read More


I want to share a story with you, and then I want to share a story with you. The way they work together in one woman’s life is breathtaking and contains a lesson for all of us.

Here’s story No. 1, which is contained in this letter I got from a woman named Tammy Guffey.

“My husband and I got a call ... Read More