Tag: encouragement

  • Unexpected Diversions

    Unexpected Diversions

    There it was, hanging slightly askew on the cabinet door–a single piece of masking tape its only anchor. As soon as I saw it I knew: this sign was a sign from God. Lately, I’ve caught myself taking unplanned trips down memory lane, and these are no pleasure cruises. Uncomfortable recollections run like a negative…

  • Living to the Max

    Living to the Max

    Meet Max. He’s an eight-year-old Boxer and the elder brother of the family. Jaiden (5) and Jackson (3), his human siblings, are his two best buds. Lately, Max no longer feels like climbing the stairs, or playing fetch with the boys. Gone is the high energy that’s so typical for his breed. This week a…

  • Everything’s Gonna Be Alright

    Everything’s Gonna Be Alright

    As an elementary music teacher, it’s a joy taking my students to sing at nursing homes. The picture above captures a boy (age 5) bonding with a woman (age 95). The two became fast friends, back in 2015, and were featured in our local newspaper under the headline, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” Praise be to…

  • Not So Sticky Notes

    Not So Sticky Notes

    One day last week after school I found a sticky note on the driver’s side window of my minivan: “Thank you for all your hard work.” Love, Admin. “How thoughtful, an atta boy just for me; our principal must have noticed the extra work I did with our traveling music group.” I felt seen. Encouraged.…

  • A Blurb for a Fellow Blogger

    A Blurb for a Fellow Blogger

    Quick, think of a self-published book you’ve recently read that was stellar. Yes, I’m counting on one hand, too.😵‍💫 My blogger friend Bridget A. Thomas succeeds here where many others fall short, because she keeps a laser like focus on her subject—growing in gratitude. Each of the 30 daily readings is brief and to the…

  • Shadows of Joy

    Shadows of Joy

    Something amazing happened at our house two days ago. We opened the blinds on our front door to let some sunshine in. No, that’s not the amazing part, though we are rarely home during the day to do this. I’m sitting at the kitchen table enjoying a mid morning cup of coffee when Nancy says,…