When I was in kindergarten, my new parents’ new baby brought me a gift—a Polly Pocket. Inside the tiny compact was a home, a hutch, a tiny doll, and two white rabbits. All week, I excitedly counted down until Friday, when I could proudly show off my little sister’s present at show-and-tell. Twenty-five years later, … More How To Connect With Others
In his recent Heart of the Matter podcast, Dr. Gerald Stein referenced the practice of Tikkun Olam, the name drawn from the Kabbalah to describe making a difference and healing the world. Part of a collective. A greater good. I have been unable to stop thinking about Tikkun Olam and found myself re-reading Dr. Rachel … More In Good Company
My great uncle approached in a plaid purple blazer he’d picked up from a thrift store after his luggage had been lost. “You look well!,” he proclaimed. We were gathered with 130 others in celebration, and everyone who knew me said the same thing: “Wow, Erin, you look really healthy.” For the first time in … More Thank You For Coming
A number of years ago, my wife gave me a wave goodbye and left for work. I couldn’t help but feel the cold chill. Her goodbye felt as cold as a frigid nor’easter. I looked out the window to see her car lights pull away in the morning light and I half expected to see … More ‘Here I come to save the day’
I’m going to tell a less-than-flattering story about myself. A reminder to anyone who thinks life with Vicki might be all sunshine and rainbows. Oh, good gosh, no. Whether it’s control related or my potent ego, always thinking I know best, I can be a real pain in the posterior (and isn’t THAT a fine … More Mum About Mums
I told a rather light-hearted tale on my personal blog this morning. A brief glimpse into what I remember as a rather courageous act for someone who was not often willing to stand up, or stand out. I remember it mostly as a first glimpse into what being bold and brave might feel like. At … More Defeating Trauma With Courage
Over the weekend, I attended my grandmother’s funeral. The church was filled, as was the mausoleum. The lunch reception and later evening get together were buzzing with chatter, laughter, and love. Everyone who offered their condolences made a point of stating that what our family has is special. “The first day I met your grandparents, … More What Your Family Has Is Special
I carried unnecessary heartache, and I’ll admit, a few grudges for years. Once upon a time, as an ultra-ambitious young professional, I got caught in a snare. Thinking I was being groomed and trained as an apprentice and “next in line” for a plum position, I fell headlong into an attitude of servitude. Jumping at … More I’ve Let You Go
About ten years ago, I was distractedly watching the local Seattle ABC news while fixing dinner and they ran a story about an attempted bank robbery. The suspects had gotten away but the police had captured the getaway driver, a 52-year-old woman. I was in my early 40’s at the time and I remember thinking, … More When Will They Learn?
I looked at the list again. On the plus side, I saw the names of a few friends who were going to be in my fifth-grade class with me. I was happy about that, but the negative side of the scale stood out in big bold face letters to me, and it spelled out the … More Tough as nails
The Heart of the Matter 