faith, family, wellness
This morning the intense Texas summer sun came through my bedroom window, and there was this resolve in me that ... it would be a good day. So with everyone in the family still asleep, I awoke first as I usually do, and whispered to our dog Summer, "C'mon girl, let's go outside so you can do … Continue reading Because Today, I Can
Sometimes you can just spend a couple of hours with someone, but it can change the way you see the rest of your life. A couple of weekends ago, on a trip back to California, I visited my eighty-something year old aunt who is now living in a home for those with memory loss. She has … Continue reading What I am Remembering From the One Who is Forgetting
Not all beautiful stories are pretty. Several winters ago, I noticed our toilet was leaking. We tried to fix it ourselves, but soon realized we needed some professional help. Hector came highly recommended. I called his number, and though his wife (also his receptionist) told us he was booked, he came that same day. I opened the door and found a man straight out … Continue reading Kindness Echoes
We adopted Summer a month ago. She was the last of a litter of seven Chihuahua Terrier pups, and unfortunately, no one wanted her. When we brought her home, we understood why. At first, it was endearing to have this melancholy nine-month-old puppy in our home. "Oh she looks so sad," we'd say. "Look, she won't … Continue reading Because She Stayed
Now that I think about it, it was really only this fence, this divider between our homes, that connected us. You see, my neighbor and I seemed to have nothing in common except for a fence. The truth is that I never knew her. We never enjoyed any neighborly talk. She never asked about the kids. We … Continue reading The Day the Fence Fell
Honestly, it's hard not to see her. We're stopped at a gas station on one of the crowded avenues in San Francisco. I watch her as she digs bare-handed through the garbage can. I see her dirt filled fingernails pull out empty plastic water bottles. She shakes out the water, dirt, or whatever else is in them, and stashes … Continue reading She Needs Five Cents
When it's hard to believe in miracles... In the hope of change... In overcoming... In transformations and new beginnings... In healing... When our spirit is willing, but our flesh is frail... When joy is illusive; victory, distant... And wonder has lost its shimmer... I am stopped by this. A tree just outside my door. A … Continue reading What’s So Ordinary?
On Sunday, we drove for miles and miles. Endless miles. Eleven hours to be exact - from one end of the state to the other. Just the five of us, packed in a warm car, windows splashed with rain and highway dust. The wind blew hard against our wheels. Outside, the clouds hung thick and stormy over the Central California farmlands. … Continue reading Endless Miles, Endless Sky
My little girl was so quiet the other day. She's never quiet. But that day, to my surprise, she was silently sitting at the table diligently coloring away. After a few minutes, she came to me smiling, holding a wrinkled piece of paper in her hands. "Look, I wrote a letter to Gung!" "Gung Gung" is a Chinese name … Continue reading Postmarked to Heaven
Today we stop to honor the many men and women who have chosen to serve America on the frontlines. And we stop to pray, not only for the soldiers, but for their families. Especially now, as the holidays near, and their absence will be so deeply and painfully felt. So today ... to honor those that serve, I want to … Continue reading Everyday Heroes
invited by grace 