The other night on my drive home I called my grandpa to wish him a happy 83rd birthday. At the end of our conversation he paused and said, "I love you very much." I immediately felt my eyes well up and my heart beat faster. Although I know he loves me, he doesn't say the … Continue reading It all comes back to love
Say It Already
Words and stories help us express the love we feel for each other. Even when it doesn't come out perfectly, the uncomfortable attempt to express how we feel will be appreciated. How often have I missed this opportunity? Because I was afraid of how they would react, because I couldn't find the perfect words, because … Continue reading Say It Already
What ladder am I climbing?
We've always been asked what we want to be when we grow up. My friends and I have recently been more focused on who we want to be when we grow up. These questions have challenged a balance between where and who we are: being fully present and appreciating our situation, and where and who … Continue reading What ladder am I climbing?
My Best Life: Family, Country Roads, and Conversations
I'm in the midst of enjoying a great gift: A week back home with my family in rural Nebraska. I've had time...time to enjoy: A sunrise A long run on a country road A cup of coffee with my mom Cookies with my grandma Hours reminiscing with my grandparents Girls' night out with my mom and … Continue reading My Best Life: Family, Country Roads, and Conversations
Enough
Will there ever be enough? Will we ever have enough? Can we ever do enough? When is enough enough? Enough: as much or as many as required. But some things don't have a finite requirement...time, money, meaningful experiences, happiness, love. I can't even fathom how much would be enough. I told my husband just a … Continue reading Enough
Time
Our most valuable resource. We can't get it back, and we can't get more of it. There will never be enough. How should we spend it? Loving, laughing, thinking, learning, working, doing, cleaning, creating, being, CONNECTING. (Thank you Hollie Trenary for sharing this image and inspiring these thoughts! Check out this great story of how … Continue reading Time
What is success?
As many of you know, I took a break from the typical 8-5 job scene back in May. I wanted to be purposeful about figuring out my next move, and was blessed with the ability to take time to do that. I've spent time reflecting, reading, listening to podcasts, learning from mentors, family, and friends. … Continue reading What is success?
Sudden Death
I have had this title sitting in a draft with some random notes waiting for the right time to finish and publish, and then got news this week that we lost a pillar of our nonprofit community. News broke that Brian Stutzman, Executive Director of YPN, died suddenly. I didn't know Brian personally, but I … Continue reading Sudden Death
Our Great Responsibility
It's not a what, it's a how. How are we helping others in everything we do? Am I showing others respect and compassion? It's tough! In any given moment, I think too much about myself and not enough about others. I spend too much time judging and not enough time trying to understand. I heard … Continue reading Our Great Responsibility
The Best Thing in My Life Right Now is My Marriage
Wait, what? Yep, I was surprised too when I came to this realization... I recently went back home to visit family and was trying to think of a good question to ask to catch up with people. I landed on, "What's the best thing happening in your life right now?" It was so fun, I … Continue reading The Best Thing in My Life Right Now is My Marriage
Grit, Gratitude, and Grace 