Someone I care about found herself in the throes of an emerging crisis recently and it made for a lopsided day for me. The tasks and duties I’d planned to tackle fell by the wayside and while I wouldn’t have it any other way, I needed to reboot after the detour. Thankfully my dear one … More Community. Connection. Care.
Yesterday, my daughter, nine-year-old Miss O said something that provoked her five-year-old brother. But I wasn’t intentional. So when everything quieted down I said to her, “It really helps when you think before you speak.” She turned to me incredulously and said, “Every time??” I had to giggle at that one. It’s a hard practice, … More Think Before You Speak
Last week a former client gave me a beautiful gift. To most anyone’s eyes it probably looks like a simple basket, but she knew better. After spending arduous days cleaning out her mother-in-law’s house, she kept returning to a pile of baskets. Well-worn and used with a patina earned over time, carrying household objects, fruit, … More A-Tisket, A-Tasket
By the end of my birthday this past weekend, I was exhausted. I know I’m not alone in this. When I hand the reins over to others, let’s call them the less experienced members of the household, so that they can give me a “break,” it almost breaks me. This used to happen with my … More Please (Don’t) Give Me a Break
We’re experiencing a run of glorious spring weather in the Chicago area. Cool nights, brilliant blue-sky days, interspersed with much-needed rain to coax all things green into their splendor. It’s a beautiful time of year and I forget from one spring to the next how glorious it is. Whenever possible, we’re a “windows wide open” household. … More Blanket Bliss
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
I’d guess 90% of my days are pretty predictable. That is to say, there is probably a low probability of randomness within any given day. Sure, we might head out for an evening walk to pet some bunnies and end up going to the ice cream shop, and making new friends along the way. But … More One Thing Led to Another
The other day I got swept up in an interlude of wonder…thinking about a former student and whether or not she was well, and safe. She struggled with an eating disorder and as I got to know her, she made great strides toward recovery but the issues she faced would not be remedied easily and … More “Hold Them in Your Heart With Love”
It’s been a wild and wonderful week with activities related to the official launch of my book, “Surviving Sue”. I thought I was humbled before – grateful for the interest and support from friends and family – but the intensity grew as the week unfolded. I share a “Peek Inside” the launch party on Victoria … More When We Get Swept Up in Self
I met someone recently at one of the kids’ events and as I sat there talking with her, I kept thinking, “Geez, she seems so familiar.” Now that I’ve seen her several times and we’ve had some fairly deep discussions about life, live, work, and family, I finally put my finger on it. She reminds … More Better Off Without
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