Category Archives: Friendship

Begin Each Day With a Grateful Heart

I don’t know about you, but in my life I have always gleaned wisdom from those around me. My faith in God and my desire to live a life that He wants underlies it all. Sometimes i notice things i … Continue reading

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I fell in love with the ocean

I grew up in Minnesota and Chicago. I loved the rivers and lakes. Beach time was precious. In my adult life I have lived within about an hour and 15 min from the ocean. Oh, boy, that is incredible. My … Continue reading

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Wait …. ok, let’s go

Monday night –> how are you doing? I am feeling grateful tonight. I am grateful for people who care and people who post things that remind me of the good and kind way of doing things….I have been on SO … Continue reading

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The need to feel at home

Roofs – by Joyce Kilmer ‘The road is wide and the stars are out and the breath of the night issweet,And this is the time when wanderlust should seize upon my feet.But I’m glad to turn from the open road and … Continue reading

Posted in Family Life and Issues, Friendship, God, Nature, stress, time management | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Just one cup of coffee a day?

I was thinking about coffee this morning. I love coffee. I come by that honestly. My dad’s side of the family is 100% Norwegian-American. My mom’s side of the family is 100% Irish-American. Both sides loved coffee. I don’t recall … Continue reading

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Unchartered territory for me: new mindfulness

Gosh it is Saturday already! Yesterday was my birthday… it was wonderful. If you missed my birthday post and want to see it, the link is right here. https://believeanyway.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/my-day-is-now-yup-its-my-birthday/ Oh how the years have flown by. It is likely that I … Continue reading

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My day is now: yup it’s my birthday

Today I entered a brand new decade. I turned 60. Yep. Just like that, I left my 50s.  This past decade was a time of questioning the meaning of my life and the paths I walked. There were so many changes. … Continue reading

Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, Friendship, God, Positive Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness!

If you have seen “Fiddler on the Roof” you may recognize the title of this blog post as a line from the movie. It was said by Tevye’s oldest daughter Tseitel’s  true love Motel (pronounced “mottle”)Kamzoil the tailor. Now why am … Continue reading

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Are you wallowing today?

The thing is, at times we draw our meaning from our role(s) in life and from our associations. What do I mean by our associations? For example, from our immediate family we have ongoing connections. From our extended family we … Continue reading

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I was different; I still am

“I was motivated to be different in part because I was different.” –Donna Brazile I have always marched to my own drummer. You see, I notice trends and movements in the culture. I always have. As a kid, whenever I … Continue reading

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The precise moment when friendship is formed

I was thinking about friendship, and the many forms it takes. Then I stumbled upon this quote: “We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a … Continue reading

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Happy New Year! Open the book; turn the page

My very dear friend Pattie shared this photo on New Year’s Eve. She is one amazing and fabulous friend. I do not know what I would do without her. The photo inspired me to write this post. Yes, the pages … Continue reading

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Thankfulness

As we zoom towards Thanksgiving Day, I find myself grateful for so much. I am thankful for my loved ones. I am thankful for my home, my job, my life. I am thankful for my students. “I thank Thee for … Continue reading

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Life is connected it is not just disparate events

I tell my students that all of their school subjects are connected. Just because each one is taught in a different room does not mean they are truly separate. Events in our lives and stages of our lives can seem … Continue reading

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Genesis 50:19-21 It applies this week

Are you suffering, have bad things happened? Are you afraid? Genesis 50:19-21 might help you.[ “But Joseph replied to them, ‘Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it … Continue reading

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My friend, Harvey

Sometimes life smiles upon you in a very special way. When I was in college, I met my friend Harvey. She goes by Mary these days, but back then she preferred to be called Harvey. To say she is funny, … Continue reading

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A week bookended by cousins and one of my brothers

Today is my brother Mike’s birthday. To know him is to love him. He is one of those genuine guys that everyone loves. Why is that? He is loving, respectful and believes that there is no such thing as a … Continue reading

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Having a tough day?

Are you having a tough day or week? Do you feel worn out or care-worn? Ah, put your feet up now, and take a deep breath. Yes, I know that doesn’t fix anything. The difficulties and challenges in your life … Continue reading

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How do you want to be remembered?

We create impressions and memories by how we live our lives. How do you hope to be remembered? Perhaps I am thinking about that today, because of the multiple “reunions” I have attended lately. You know how those things go. … Continue reading

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Those with true eyes see your heart; they know you sparkle

‘Tis September, and the summer days are fleeing. It has been a summer that renewed me in unexpected ways. A few months ago, I was going through a really difficult time. My little boat was going through some torrential times, … Continue reading

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People who love us raise us up

In light of the fact that I have been renewing friendships and reuniting with cousins off and on over the past few months, I realize once again how we are the wind beneath each others’ wings. We reach out and … Continue reading

Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Friendship, Heartwarming or humorous stories | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Reunions and reconnecting are like returning to beloved books

In a social media world, much of our lives have become like text messages and twitters. Our communications are shortened, our time together in face-to-face encounters is brief. This has been the case for awhile now. Letters and long Sunday … Continue reading

Posted in communication, Friendship, social media | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Two extraordinary friends

My magical weekend continued on Sunday. I went to Mass and brunch with some dear, dear old friends (Andi and Jerry). We have been friends since my freshman year of college. For a brief, magical time we ended up in … Continue reading

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Something from my bucket list: dreams DO come true

Do you have an actual bucket list? Do you have some cherished dreams that would be oh so lovely if they could really come true? I do not have an actual written bucket list. But there are definitely special hopes … Continue reading

Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Family Life and Issues, Friendship, Heartwarming or humorous stories | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Throughout my days: I am an etch-a-sketch

Are there things that you “just know” in your heart of hearts? For instance, even if you are in the depths of despair do you somehow know that you are not alone; that you are loved? I eventually remember that … Continue reading

Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Friendship | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

I will stand my ground and I won’t back down

Somewhere along the line, I never heard Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers songs. That is, until 9/11. His song “I won’t back down” became a bit of an anthem for many people. It spoke to their gut about defending what … Continue reading

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In an electronic age- build community and teach the world to sing

I started this blog a little over two years ago. I started it because a dear friend (Dana) recommended that I do so. She knows that I have always loved to write. I loved it from the time I was … Continue reading

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Soul mates

“A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who … Continue reading

Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Friendship | Tagged | 10 Comments

Seeing beauty creates peace

Throughout my life, when i have felt stressed or low, i sought out places that are beautiful. The beauty of creation, especially near water, soothes me when i am downhearted. You see, when i cannot make sense of things, i … Continue reading

Posted in Bullying, faith/courage/miracles/hope, Friendship | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Don’t take anything personally: not so fast

“Don’t Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be … Continue reading

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How did you pick your major or career path?

When did you know what you wanted to study or what you wanted to do? For most of us it has changed or evolved over the years. When I was in high school there were specific teachers I bonded with. … Continue reading

Posted in faith/courage/miracles/hope, Friendship | 18 Comments