This is Christmas
Most of the miracle of Christmas you can't see, or don't. The young clergyman and his wife do all the things you do on Christmas Eve. They string the lights and hang the ornaments. [...]
The God Who Sees
The God Who Sees Have you ever been in a hard season that seemed like it would never end? These times might be referred to as desert seasons or valleys or dark nights of [...]
What brings you JOY?
What brings YOU joy? This last week I asked my students to revisit their goal writing from September. Back then, we spent time reading nonfiction stories and carving out our own vision for this [...]
The Woods in Winter
Woods In Winter Henry Wadsworth Longfellow When winter winds are piercing chill, And through the hawthorn blows the gale, With solemn feet I tread the hill, That overbrows the lonely vale. O'er the bare [...]
remembering 22 years ago
22 years ago today, our country was shattered by the 9/11 attacks. Today we remember. JP and I had the chance to take a long weekend in New York City two years ago and [...]
Grace for this new school year
When I pray in my garden, I offer up all the burdens, fears, inabilities, and inadequacies I feel I currently possess. Through the disciplines of silence, solitude, and prayer, I am changed; my mentality [...]
echoes of Opa’s life
Today I'm remembering my wonderful Opa, whose Heavenly birthday is August 3rd. Nico was a gracious man of character and strength, kindness and compassion. I feel thankful for the heritage of faith and integrity [...]
my determined daughter
So much of mothering — well, for me anyway — has been a balancing act of leaning forward and closing in; then backing off, and retreating. Sometimes this means engaging my daughters and challenging [...]
a convergence of nature
A green hummingbird, a yellow swallowtail, a fuzzy bee all converged on the garden late afternoon and observed both withering and flourishing blooms. “Such beauty is fading, and took so long to pollinate,” the [...]
for 30 years now
30 years ago, my family moved from Los Angeles County to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and I was fifteen and going to be a junior in high school, scared, angry, and determined to return to [...]