In the movie version of Wilder's Our Town, the character Emily looks back on her life and while looking back at her 16th birthday pleads, "Mama, look at me as if you really saw me." Whew - what a way to shake me to the core and give me a little life wake-up call. Hearing this line, coupled with my own 11 year old son commenting that Monday was his favorite day of the week, "Because it's the one night of the week when we don't have to go anywhere [no sports practices or extracurriculars for any family member] and... Continue reading

My dog, Buddy, thinks I am the bee's knees. He is SO elated to see me when we have been apart (even after he's merely gone outside to relieve himself in the morning for a few minutes). He loves unconditionally (even when I forget he's outside relieving himself and he sits patiently waiting in the rain for me to notice him). He easily forgives (he's quick to love up against us if we accidentally stumble on him). He showers us with affection (kisses and licks are distributed to all). He asks for so little and is thoroughly appreciative and grateful... Continue reading

I'd like to think that at one time we all have received a note or letter at some point in our lives that we have saved...either actually, physically saved or mentally tucked it away in our memory bank. I am a sucker for love notes and letters of appreciation and have saved many, many notes, letters and cards over the years from parents, grandparents, friends, boyfriends/husband and the sweet, mispelled early writings/notes of my children. I LOVE words - especially those packed with heartfelt thoughts and feelings. I always tell my family members that a homemade card or handwritten letter/note... Continue reading

Long ago I heard this little saying and I have held on to the belief that the real trick is not in simply finding the right mate but in being the right mate. Relationships take love, an investment of time, patience, creativity, laughter, endurance…the list goes on and on but let’s be honest…relationships take work, hard work. There are so many simple, thoughtful ways we can “work” on our relationships every day. I thought the following was interesting… Ellen Kreidman created the following list of woman’s needs. Guys: She wants to be your first priority. She wants you to consider... Continue reading

Growing up, my grandparents, “Pop & Dean” as we affectionately called them, used to frequently go on what they called a “Mystery Date”. On the specified Friday, one of them would plan the entire day’s activities with the other spouse in mind. The designated planner would craft the entire day/evening and merely let the other spouse know what they needed to wear and what time they would be departing. I loved the excitement that they each would share as one grandparent truly had no idea how the day would unfold when pulling out of the driveway and the other grandparent... Continue reading

Love, love, love this amazing reflection and wisdom born of experiencing and living from eighty-five year old Nadine Stair who wrote If I Had My Life to Live Over: If I had my life to live over, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax. I’d limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual... Continue reading

giving myself permission to write, to express, to share... giving in to the urgency i feel to connect with the world... to be transparent to expose who i am...what motivates me and what brings me joy to break all the journalism rules that i was taught in college and write freely without worry with the hopes that i may touch one person...make one person's life better...transform one relationship from ordinary to extraordinary on one day...in one life...one relationship that i can laugh with all the friends who have teased me for being a hopeless romantic for the past few decades... Continue reading