Interview with Jeni Stepanek, Mother of Poet and Peace Activist Mattie Stepanek
… “Go forth vowing to choose gently, celebrating life each day. Go forth vowing to choose wisely, playing after every storm.” From “Choice Vows” by Mattie J.T. Stepanek In Loving through Heartsongs (Hyperion, 2003) I am honored to have the privilege of speaking to Jeni Stepanek, an incredibly courageous woman who lives life to the […]
Bring Out the Best in People – Four Ways to Show ‘You Matter’
We as human beings all have a need to be heard, to be validated, and to be understood. Without necessarily agreeing with someone’s position or sharing the same interests, we can still be there for people in a positive way and help bring out their good. Interest- Take an interest in the other person. […]
New Experiences During Difficult Times, and the New Joy It Can Bring
I recently realized that during two major life-altering times in my life, I tried out something new. And nineteen years and nine years later (respectively), I am still actively engaged in both. They have become an integral part of my life. The summer I got separated (from my then husband), 19 years ago, my friend […]
“Live On Purpose” Radio Show – Featuring Yours Truly
I just had the wonderful experience of being interviewed in an online radio program called Live On Purpose, hosted by Dr. Paul Jenkins. This was a first for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone to do this. It was done on the phone and went live online within a few minutes. I was nervous […]
Parenting Post Divorce
Divorce is too high – yes And too many kids are being messed up through divorce – yes I’m not here to help lessen the divorce rate; but I am here to help kids adjust as well as possible, with as little scarring as possible, to their parent’s divorce. Kids don’t ask to be a […]
Healthy Respite, or How I Became a TJMaxx Junkie
In my most recent interview with author Ann Hood, she stated that knitting helped her cope and get through her day-to-day grief. She wrote a best-selling novel, The Knitting Circle, about women coming together to knit while discussing their losses and problems. Knitting was a source of comfort. When my daughter, Nava, went through a […]
“Grief And Joy Live Side By Side Now In My Heart”- Meet Ann Hood
Welcome to my interview with Ann Hood. I am thrilled that Ms. Hood accepted my request for this blog interview, especially in light of her busy traveling schedule with the paperback release of her newest book, The Red Thread. Ms. Hood is a noted author of the best-selling novel, The Knitting Circle and the memoir, […]
The Ambivalence of Moving On – Recreating My Life As An Empty-Nester
For the past 8 months people have been asking me, “So how is it being an empty-nester?” And my answer has been, “I don’t know; I can’t answer, yet.” I have not been able to get a handle on this concept. I need time to settle in to this pretty major life transition. I guess you […]
The Time is Now – Be Extraordinary
I want to share an awesome u-tube that I just received in my email. The person who sent it, my old exercise trainer, clearly knows what moves me. I feel compelled to post this here. Time gone, youth gone, time passing. There’s nothing to hold onto but the tide of change. As Gretchin Rubin of […]
The Newborn of Life
The purest, simplest beauty –that of a newborn. I have spent the last few days looking at my new granddaughter; sitting and just watching her. Talk about holding onto the moment, being in the moment; I have been melting into the softness of this little and huge miracle of life. When I’m with her, everything […]