Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
Last summer I wrote about the memorable trip my son John and I took to England and Scotland prior to the start of his freshman year of college. I was grateful for our time together, and we were both excited and a bit nervous about the major transition he was facing with the move to... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week, I wrapped up a Monday evening online class with University of Chicago professor Nicolas Epley. Centered on his book A Little More Social it felt more like a 4-week book club as we delved into topic of human connection and how we tend to overthink the process of connecting with others. At... Continue Reading →
A couple of weeks ago, we brought home Frankie, one of my friend Tracy’s beloved cats. Tracy loved her two cats Frankie and Henry, and her husband Doug, more of a dog guy, knew that loving Tracy meant opening his home and heart to her cats as well. During Tracy’s final weeks, the normalcy and... Continue Reading →
A growing number of experts are emphasizing the importance of mattering, the sense that we are valued and that we add value to others’ lives. Jennifer Breheny Wallace writes in her book, Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, that, “Mattering is what psychologists call a “meta-need” or “umbrella term” because... Continue Reading →
I was first introduced to Ed Sheeran’s music more than a decade ago and immediately became a fan. The lyrics for many of his songs tell stories; some sad, others uplifting. Supermarket Flowers, written about his late grandmother’s illness and passing, was released a year after my dad died in 2016 and I appreciated how... Continue Reading →
Last week Sara recommended several novels about friendship to consider reading this summer. One on her list I read this past year and highly recommend, Remarkably Bright Creatures, is a compelling fictional tale about the unique bonds formed between generations and species. Others on Sara’s list I look forward to reading during some time off... Continue Reading →
Early Saturday morning, I drove up to Milwaukee for the annual Strain for the Brain 5K. My husband Mark and I joined roughly 30 other people to run with Mr. G’s Team, which was formed in honor of Mark’s brother Rob, who we lost last July to melanoma of the brain. Seeing family, friends and... Continue Reading →
Summer in the Midwest is something we look forward to most of the year, but the season can feel fleeting. After a busy month of May, I hope to find some time this holiday weekend to pause and set some intentions for the season ahead. Despite long days, summer can pass by quickly. Without some... Continue Reading →
Spring is my favorite season, but it can also be a stressful season for me. While I love the longer days and seeing flowers budding on the trees, it seems the commitments tend to stack up as well. This May I have two university reunions, a destination wedding, and one milestone birthday celebration in my... Continue Reading →
Earlier this month, I lost my beautiful friend Tracy to melanoma. Tracy and I met in the late 1990s through a mutual friend, and over the years, we shared the ups and downs of professional life, family dynamics, and travel adventures. Tracy was a person whose life radiated outward, continually widening her circle and bringing... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 