Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, a time to honor those who died in military service. Yet my grandfather firmly believed the joy mattered too. The gathering. The laughter. The freedom to enjoy an ordinary afternoon with people we love. In his mind, those things were not distractions from remembrance; they were part of it. They were part of what people fought and died to protect.
(Water)Melon and Memories Read More »
The cow, with its steady presence on Old MacDonald’s Farm, embodies nurturing and sustenance. For generations, cows have been symbols of provision, offering milk, nourishment, and a calming presence in rural life.
The Rest of the Story: Old MacDonald Read More »
This morning, I noticed something small—but important. A thought came in, followed quickly by a feeling. Nothing unusual about that; it happens all day long. But what I noticed was what came next. There was a moment—brief, almost imperceptible—where I could have gone along for the ride. I could have followed the thought, believed it, and allowed the feeling to take over. Or… I could pause, and become curious.
Not Leaving Ourselves Read More »
Looking back, I can still remember scampering to the reading circle on the rug in elementary school. I don’t remember the names of the books the teacher read, but I do remember the feelings of being excited and comforted as I was being read to, stretched out on the rug.
When did we stop reading out loud?
The Pleasures of Reading Out Loud Read More »
As I have written in other articles, families often gather together for Christmas and the holidays. Adult children may fly in from faraway states, or even countries, to celebrate with loved ones. In our household, one set of elderly parents in their 80s bravely flew in to stay with us in Los Altos from Beijing, and in the other case a trip to Florida to visit 90-year-old Grandma for Christmas was a blessing.
When love isn’t enough: | Recognizing when your aging parents | need a caregiver Read More »
