PART 1 ARTICLE 14 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ When life hands us a profound loss — be it illness, divorce, death, or the suffering of a loved one — we can find ourselves feeling completely unmoored. This is not like getting lost on a familiar route; it’s as if our entire world has been…
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 13 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ For three days, I have struggled to find the right words following the funeral of Lindsey, the 30-year-old daughter of my dear friend, Jen. Lindsey’s death from breast cancer has left Jen bearing an unimaginable grief — the loss of her baby girl. Breast cancer is…
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 12 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ As Ben and Gerri nap on my lap after a long dog day, I wonder: What are their thoughts? What do they dream about? Do they know their sacred life’s purpose? Reverie gently blends into a dream as I, too, drift off… Ben speaks first, “I…
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 10 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ I hope this piece evokes memories of someone who offered you unconditional love, a true friend who became a hero in your life, shaping who you are today. Reflecting on such a person fills the heart with peace and affirms the incredible healing power of human…
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 9 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ This is a deeply personal and heartbreaking story, but we hope it offers comfort and insight to those impacted by the nightmare of alcoholism. My husband Doug’s journey with alcoholism began in college, eventually leading to a devastating stroke at age 54, 15 years ago. …
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 8 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Nearly 20 years ago, I witnessed my father in the last chapter of his life, finding comfort only in his recliner each night. Watching him, I marveled at the realities of aging — the ways our bodies, worn down by aches, pains, and breathing troubles, change…
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 7 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ In my neighborhood, fireworks light up the sky for an entire week surrounding the Fourth of July. I can appreciate the fun and joy in it, and I would never interfere with anyone’s choice to celebrate. Living near the water, I’m fortunate to have a beautiful…
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 4 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Reflecting on our families of origin, we’re often filled with a mix of love, joy, and cherished childhood memories, and inevitable feelings of disappointment and sorrow. These family dynamics shape us profoundly, leaving deep imprints on our emotional expectations and perspectives on unconditional love. At first,…
Read more
PART 1 ARTICLE 3 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Who could have predicted that a teenage marriage, lasting only four years, would become one of the most transformative gifts of my life? Al, my first husband, left a legacy of wisdom that changed me forever, and for that, I am deeply grateful. Just yesterday, while…
Read more
