Today I'm grateful for my father-in-law, Ken. Today is his birthday so I'm feeling especially grateful for him. I've known Ken since I was sixteen years old. Tim and I are lucky in many ways because our parents have seen us both grow. Since I've known Ken for more than half of my life, I…
Time for Gratitude: Day Twenty
Today I'm grateful to know a variety of skilled people who share their talents. My father-in-law helped us do a variety of household projects this weekend and I'm simply grateful for his help, his patience, and his skills. I'm so honored to know this man and honored he shares so much time and energy with…
Time for Gratitude: Day Eighteen
Today I'm grateful for reflections of light coming in the window through suncatchers and crystals. Growing up, my Grandmother always kept sun catchers and crystals in her kitchen window. So when the light came through in just the right way, light spots and rainbows came in to light up the kitchen. I one upped my Grandmother by…
Time for Gratitude: Day Seventeen
I'm grateful today for a wonderful lunch date with my sister Trish, niece Cora, and nephew Ethan. It's a nice break in the middle of a workday and they make my heart happy. It's also fun to mingle the work and the personal. I remember fondly visiting my parents' places of work in awe…
Time for Gratitude: Day Nine
Today I'm grateful for those moments when one of my loved ones intuitively knows I need a picture of something or someone present in their day. It just makes me pause from what I'm doing or feeling to appreciate the lives that surround me.
Time to Honor: Poem for my Oldest Sister
I'm not a poet. I wish I was a poet because poems are shorter than stories, and much more to the point. With that said however, I decided to write a poem for my sister Trish on her birthday (April 30th). So Trish, here you go. Happy Birthday. I love you. And no- poems don't…
Time to Reflect: Perceptions of Differences
I’m an introvert. Shocking to those who know me, but it’s true. I’m an introvert and when I walk into places, I do not usually want to be noticed. I simply want to do what I need to do, visit with those I care about, and leave…unnoticed. I’ve always found myself a bit “odd”. I’m…
Time to Give: Holiday Giving
Gift giving can be difficult. How do you find the perfect gift for those you care about most? I try to put a lot of effort into the gifts I give loved ones but sometimes it feels like I am buying things people do not need and may not even want (despite my best and…
Time to Remember: More Memories of Grandmother Monroe
I worry that in years from now I will forget the little things that Grandma did, said, or told us. I don’t ever want to forget: The way she smelled all throughout my growing up. The scent of her lotion or perfume (never did figure it out). The softness of her hands. The way she…
Time to Remember: Memories of Grandmother Monroe
I truly love all of my biological Grandparents and knew each of them at different times of my life: Grandpa Blair as a toddler, Grandpa Monroe as a tween, Grandma Blair as a teenager, and Grandmother Monroe into "mid" adulthood. I am blessed and honored to carry on a bit of each of them. I…
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