For those seeking ideas and inspiration, as well as love and hope to keep moving forward.
My friend Patti introduced me to the concept My One Word, and I have found it to be a powerful and peaceful way to make positive change in my life for the coming year. Instead of making a long list of New Year's Resolutions, the concept is that you find one word that will help … Continue reading My One Word is Death
I spent a lunch hour this week with Kaya, a 2nd grader at Kenwood Leadership Academy. It was part of a program where F&M Bank matches female Kenwood students with female community leaders. The premise is simple and social, yet what I learned was profound. After several knock-knock jokes (she's got an amazing sense of … Continue reading When did we drop the “yet?”
Aliyah, you inspired me to write this piece. You are an amazing and loving young woman. We both share the loss of Grandmothers who were like Mothers. I can't say that it gets easier, but hope we can appreciate the time we had with them on Earth, and the small moments we get to spend with … Continue reading Grandma, I Feel You
In this season of reflection of the past year and planning for the new year both in my personal and professional life, I found myself overwhelmed and asking God for help. There are so many things to do, choices to make, and it's all changing so fast. How do I know which move is the … Continue reading You don’t have to do extraordinary things to live an extraordinary life.
This piece was inspired by the book Perfectly Yourself by Matthew Kelly, and an exploration in a writing workshop at the Iowa Writers' House where we were prompted to write about binaries we struggle with. I chose in control vs. free-spirited. So busy keeping it together we miss out on falling apart. We are hardened … Continue reading Life is not about having and doing, it’s about becoming.
I smile. I laugh. I open my arms. I look into your eyes. I give you a hand. A hug. An offer to help. I say yes more than no. I take an extra step. I let you in. You take. You talk. You tear down. I respectfully rear. I stand. I confront. I seek … Continue reading Please do not mistake my kindness for weakness
My heart is here, but it's also there. After my grandparents and mom left, our house feels empty. There is a lump in my throat and an ache in my heart that won't go away. We are so blessed in our life here, but all I can think about is how far we are from … Continue reading Back Where I Come From
Who am I? Not who I was. Not yet who I will be. A girl formed by circumstance and influence, By trauma and joy. A woman made by blessings and decisions, By grief and love. How would I be different? In another world. In another time. A girl victimized by cruelty and injustice, By desperation … Continue reading A Girl: One and the Same
Sad news and joyful experiences. Overwhelm and an unexpected break. Helplessness and empowerment. I wish to be naive, But I can't suffocate this desire to know. Dark clouds and bright sun rays. Death swoops in and life is delivered. Some are tortured and others find peace. I feel angry, But joy and peace pull me … Continue reading Weight and Light
What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? That's the question that drew me into the book, "The Circle Maker" (thank you CJ Kleene for giving it to me)! It is a book of miraculous stories all accomplished by dreaming big, praying through, and working hard. This book has changed … Continue reading Big dreams, bold prayers, and hard work
Grit, Gratitude, and Grace 