The Gentle Strength of Good Men I am surrounded by good men, men with great hearts, steady spirits, and quiet humor. Men who listen, protect, encourage, and love in ways that are both simple and profound. Their love fills me with gratitude. My darling husband, Jim, whom I’ve known since I was fourteen and have […]

The Space Between Hearts There’s a kind of peace that only arises when we take the time to understand one another, to pause before judging, to listen before reacting, to remember that everyone is doing their best with what they’ve been given. I have deep gratitude for those who seek to understand. The older I […]

My father was a veteran. He fought in World War II at Leyte Gulf, one of the fiercest naval battles of that war, and though he came home, he carried his injuries and pain for the rest of his life. I am so very grateful for his sacrifice and love of fellow humans. When I […]

The Peace After the Storm There’s a deep breath that comes after life’s storms, the kind of peace that settles not because everything is perfect, but because we’ve stopped fighting what is. I feel gratitude for simple blessings. After a lifetime of striving, working, helping, and healing, I’ve learned that joy often waits quietly in […]

The Strength That Doesn’t Roar Strength is often mistaken for toughness, for pushing through, holding it together, or standing firm no matter what. I feel gratitude for my gentle strength is something altogether different. It’s not loud or showy; it’s the soft, enduring force that keeps life moving forward even in silence. I think of […]

The Divine Gift of Joy The Daily Word today says it beautifully: “Joy is one of my divine gifts, a part of me throughout all the seasons of life.” What a truth to live by. Joy isn’t something we chase or earn, it’s something we remember. It’s a spark already placed within us by the […]

The Thread That Binds Us Every life is part of a long, shimmering thread, woven from stories of survival, hope, and love. When I trace mine backward, I see my ancestors, with gratitude, not as dusty names in history, but as living sparks of courage. My mother’s parents came from the Czech Republic in the […]

The Playful Spirit of Halloween Halloween arrives with laughter, costumes, pumpkins, and a bit of mischief. It is a time when children become superheroes, ghosts, and fairy queens. Grownups don costumes and assume alter-egos. Streets fill with laughter as neighbors hand out candy. The air itself seems alive with possibility. I am grateful for the […]

A Difficult but Noble Mission October 24 marks United Nations Day, commemorating the day in 1945 when the UN Charter came into force. The United Nations was created after the devastation of World War II, born from a hope that humanity could learn from suffering and choose cooperation over conflict. It is, in many ways, […]

The Beauty of Thoughtful Love There’s a special kind of kindness that doesn’t need an audience, the quiet, steadfast kind that simply says, I see you, and I care. My sister Suzi embodies that kind of love. She has a gift for noticing, for anticipating the little things I might need or want before I’ve […]

Creativity as a Gift Creativity is one of life’s greatest gifts. It flows through each of us in unique ways – in painting, writing, cooking, gardening, problem-solving, or simply in the way we choose to see the world. For me, creativity is not something I generate alone. It is a co-creation with the divine, a […]

The Many Kinds of Friends I am grateful for the gift of wonderful friends – some for reasons, some for seasons, and some for a lifetime. Each type of friendship has shaped my journey in ways that are hard to measure. Some friends came into my life during shared projects or work experiences, and though […]

Honoring Rural Women with Gratitude October 15 is the #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen, a day set aside to honor the women who live close to the land and carry the responsibility of sustaining families, communities, and traditions. Their contributions often go unseen, yet their strength shapes the foundation of our world. They embody resilience, determination, and resourcefulness, qualities […]

The Invisible Work of Farmers October 12 is National Farmer’s Day, a chance to stop and be grateful for the people who nourish us in ways we often overlook. In a world of supermarkets and fast delivery, it is easy to forget that every potato, every ear of corn, every glass of milk has a […]

Honoring the Day of the Girl October 11 is the International Day of the Girl Child, a day set aside to honor the rights, potential, and dreams of girls everywhere. When I think about this day through the lens of gratitude, my heart swells. It is a day to recognize not only the challenges many […]

A Day to Honor Mental Health October 10 is World Mental Health Day, a global reminder that caring for our minds is just as vital as caring for our bodies. Each of us carries unseen struggles, moments of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm. Mental health touches everyone, whether directly or through those we love. Today invites […]

A Birthday of Reflection This year, as I celebrate my 72nd birthday, I find myself pausing not only to mark the passing of time but to embrace the gift of wonder and gratitude. Birthdays are more than candles and cake, they are milestones in the ongoing rhythm of life. Each year offers new lessons, new […]

The Many Faces of a Teacher When we think of teachers, it’s easy to picture classrooms, chalkboards, and desks. Yet teaching is so much bigger than school. Every mentor, every friend who shares a lesson, every elder who tells a story, these too are teachers. On World Teachers’ Day, I find myself filled with gratitude […]

A Day to Pause for Peace October 2 marks the International Day of Non-Violence, chosen to honor the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. It is a day to remember that peace is not just the absence of conflict, it is the active presence of love, understanding, and respect. For me, this day is also a reminder […]

The Gift of Time and Perspective Every October 1st, the world pauses to honor the International Day of Older Persons. For me, this observance is not just about statistics on aging or policies for senior care… it’s about gratitude. I am grateful for the lives that came before me, the hands that built, the voices […]