Hi -- I'm Vicki and I’m a big believer in the power of connection – taking time to share what matters most. I love pondering...thinking about work, family and home life and I enjoy blogging about all of it. Cheers!
Here at Heart of the Matter we writers are dabbling with the concept of “light” this month. As you may have read, our talented team has done a terrific job of bringing heartfelt stories forward, literally reflecting their creative insight about the word LIGHT and all the various manifestations of its meaning. LIGHT. LIGHT. LIGHT. In … More Light, Love & Gifting
Congratulations to our friend, Lois Roelofs! We posted about Lois’ nomination for a Chicago Writers Association Award just two weeks ago and we learned this morning…she’s a winner! From all of your Heart of the Matter friends, Lois, we salute you and your beautiful book about Marv. What a wonderful, well-deserved win. 💕 (And for … More She’s a Winner!
Last week we learned that one of hubster Paul’s cousins – who was also named Paul – passed away. His mother was Paul’s father’s sister…and wait for it…his father was Paul’s mother’s brother. A geneticist would no doubt enlighten me about the quirky double-dose of DNA but in a moment of melancholy yesterday, my heart … More A Table with Nine Lives?
Holiday time brings a few friendly ghosts forward. I welcome them. No…not like the story of the “Disappearing Girl” that I shared recently. The rush of November and December will invariably stir up melancholy moments where I receive – gladly – glimpses of my dad. Tiny whispers as I hear myself think in ways he … More A Hug in Four Parts
We couldn’t be more excited for our friend – author and podcaster – Lois Roelofs whose book “Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage” is a finalist for a Chicago Writers Association Award! Read all about the finalists – including Lois’ beautiful book here: 2023 Book of the Year Awards (chicagowrites.org) Wynne … More Cheers to Lois!
Heads Up, and Gobble Gobble… I can’t help but share a ‘take two’ of this Thanksgiving piece. Of all the things I wrote on WordPress last year, a post about mashed potatoes still gets a lot of attention. I suspect it has little to do with the holiday itself – or the spuds in question … More Mashed Potato Madness
I am my sister’s keeper. Her guardian, her advocate, her ally and proudly, I am her best friend. Given her many disabilities I learned as a child that despite Lisa’s status as my older sister, she needed me to rise to be her protector. Our relationship has changed as we’ve watched life unfold but the … More I Love Her Better…Now That She’s Gone
Hello there! As we focus on gratitude in the month of November here at Heart of the Matter, let me say this: I’m grateful to you for reading and allowing me the privilege of sharing a very personal family story. Thank you so much for joining me for the last two installments of the “Disappearing … More The Disappearing Girl – Part III
I’ve written about the fun I had traveling as a study abroad student…. decades and decades ago. The story that some of you might be familiar with is the embarrassing tell-all about “Falling in Avignon” when I was part of a choral group which provided unexpected “entertainment” when I triggered a little chaos. That same … More The Disappearing Girl – Part I
I love musing about the symbolism of rain and raindrops. I wrote about my sweet sister’s love of the B.J. Thomas song, “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” a while back. Lisa is one of the most courageous humans I know as she navigates complicated memories of love and loss – mixed-up recollections from her head … More Inspired by Raindrops
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