“Choo! Choo!” my nephew Scotty* called out, “Auntie, come get on the train!” As I made my way into the family room, I saw Scotty instructing my sister where the ticketing line started, eager for us to hop aboard the train. As we each sat in our assigned seats, our train grew longer and longer as we all joined in on the fun!
Since I moved into my own home several years ago, the season I look forward to most is Spring. The previous owner left many lovely plants, trees, and bushes, including a coral azalea that brightens the view outside my office window for a few brief weeks each year.
Don’t you love crawling into bed each night? The weariness of the day seems to soak away as you snuggle under the covers and feel the comfort of your bed envelop you.
According to researchers, our bodies and brains need sleep as much as breathing air and drinking water, but the amount of sleep required differs from person to person.
Upon opening the door to my grandmother’s house on a Sunday afternoon, you are delighted with the sweet aroma of buttery biscuits and the sound of joyful family laughter greeting you. As you enter the kitchen, you will find us all working together to prepare the Sunday Dinner, a treasured tradition that has been passed down from my grandmother’s generation. Childhood memories often play a profound role in shaping our adult lives. These moments have taught me more than culinary skills. They have passed down values, cultural connections, and a sense of togetherness that will last a lifetime.
The other day, I was walking by a local playground. I stopped for a minute to notice all the happy children running around and playing with each other. It brought back such sweet memories of when my own kids were little and played on this playground with my community’s playgroup. Seeing how much the kids loved playing together and their parents bonding was such a heartwarming experience. Playgroups had a significant role in my parenting journey, and I’m so grateful for the memories they helped create.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you picture “playing pretend”? Maybe you conjure up the image of a toddler using a recycled cardboard box as a racecar, or perhaps a preschooler mixing up a questionable potion from rarely used kitchen spices and tap water. I must admit, I have quite a bit of personal experience with the latter. For many adults, I think, we can quickly put together a colorful picture of a young child tapping into their imagination and transforming the world around them into one of their own designs. It’s more difficult, though, to find a similar picture for ourselves as grown-ups. When was the last time you activated that creativity?
“What is addiction, really? It is a sign, a signal, a symptom of distress. It is a language that tells us about a plight that must be understood.” Alice Miller. I think it’s fair to say that, just like other illnesses, no one wakes up and decides to have a substance use disorder.
So much for lazy summer days! If your family is like mine, the hustle and bustle of summer is in full swing. There are activities to go to, yardwork to keep up with, and general maintenance tasks to get done.
My trip of a lifetime was in a small town on the coast of Croatia that was once a part of the Venetian trade route. It has a beautiful coast for summer visitors and ancient buildings for tourists.
The city of Split was where I spent my 50th birthday with a group of friends. We had a tour guide to take our group through Diocletian’s Palace. Tour guides in Europe often have to be trained and licensed. They must prove their knowledge, and they have to be certified.
“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails” – Dolly Parton
I love this Dolly Parton quote because, over the years, I’ve most definitely learned that while I can’t control the weather, I can do my best to make choices about how to adjust my sails. I’ve learned that in order to not just survive but thrive, I have to stay in a continuous state of learning. A state where I am present to observe and listen to what is needed. And when necessary, partner with others to figure out the best ways to adapt and adjust.
Recently, my friend and I completed a much-anticipated hike along the Billy Goat Trail in Maryland. We’ve been hiking together for years. And to date, this was the most physically challenging and picturesque trail we’ve ever completed. It required more preparation than usual, and during the planning process, I realized this was about something more than just a hike. My friend reached out because she was going through some difficult life changes and needed to talk to someone.
HOW WE ARE with people is as important, and perhaps more so, than what we say or do. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Imagine you’re approaching the checkout at your small local grocery store after grabbing a few items. There’s only one cashier working, and the line is long.
Thank you to 14 News for featuring the Pre to 3 program that is working to lower the area’s infant mortality rate through a home-visit program for new moms.
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