My friend Liz has been haunted for a year by the way she reacted to her husband’s random act of kindness last Christmas Eve. I’ll let her tell you about it:
“I love the holidays. I look forward to them every year. But inevitably, I am always amazed at the amount of stress I feel during this ‘joyous’ season. So much ... Read More
The other night I put my kids to bed an hour and a half before their regular bedtime so I could sit on the couch, eat Ben & Jerry’s and watch a Hallmark Christmas movie alone in silence.
I’m not sure what kind of message that is sending to my family, but I’m sure it’s not a good one.
I’ve got a ... Read More
Do you want to know the problem with making kindness your mission in life? You actually have to be kind. All the time.
The other day, my husband and I were having problems communicating. Since it was more of a technology issue than a marital issue, we headed into the cellphone store to straighten it out.Saul’s not big into reading the ... Read MoreI had a friend once whose little boy was diagnosed with cancer. During that dark journey, the family was forced to rely on community support in almost every aspect of their lives. Medical bills, car payments, child care and homework delivery were all handled by a team of people who just wanted to help.
I watched that little boy slowly deteriorate ... Read More
Have you ever noticed that when you get something stuck in your mind you start seeing it everywhere?
When I gave up drinking, every billboard I drove past for at least a month was advertising some sort of alcoholic beverage.When Saul and I started thinking about getting a security system for the new house, it seemed like we had a non-stop ... Read MoreHave you ever had a life experience in which you thought to yourself, “If I can just live through this, it’ll all be OK?”
I have had several, and I’m a little embarrassed to say they weren’t caused by the bad things in my life. They were caused by the good things. Those moments of acute anxiety were caused by things ... Read MoreSeventeen years ago this very weekend, I competed in the Miss America pageant representing my home state of Wisconsin.
When the pageant was over, I came home with an interview award, $10,000 in scholarship money and a whole bunch of sparkly earrings (some of which are still in my jewelry box).When people ask how I did, I like to tell them ... Read More
There is a unique solidarity among coaches’ wives.
Coaches’ wives get the fact that our husbands watch tape until 2 a.m., and that they are on recruiting calls while we are on vacation, and that they walk around a little grumpy the day after a big loss.Coaches’ wives who are also moms understand something else: We often parent alone.
I pride myself ... Read More
This weekend is the last big hurrah for the lake crowd (sorry for reminding you) and for everyone else who wants to sneak in one last long weekend of fun before we buckle down for the fall.
I’m not sure if you know this about me, but I’m kind of a hermit. I would much rather stay home with my little ... Read More
Have you ever driven by a sign outside of a business again and again, always wondering what it meant but never taking the time to find out?
My interest-piquing sign is at the corner of Main Avenue and Fourth Street in downtown Fargo. By my math, I’ve driven by that Cenex station more than 2,600 times (You don’t even want to ... Read More
