Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
As a child in the 1970s, the anti-smoking advertising and public health messages in school and on TV made a lasting impression on me. I recall stories of classmates lecturing their parents on the dangers of smoking and even flushing cigarettes down the toilet. This was a decade before the health impact of second-hand smoke... Continue Reading →
I learned a few years ago not to ask a graduating senior about their post-high-school plans unless they first bring up the topic. One Thanksgiving, I innocently asked my niece if she had heard from any colleges yet, not realizing the stress that question triggered. My sister quickly set me straight, explaining how drawn out... Continue Reading →
I am a cat person. I like dogs too, but it was a cat who kept me company during my years of teen angst in the 1980s, another cat who was my steadfast companion during my divorce when I only had my boys 50% of the time, and three small cats who turned my house... Continue Reading →
As we approach the mid-point of Women’s History Month 2023, LOF would like to celebrate the innumerable women-identifying writers, artists, activists and others who are telling our stories while making history. Stories can be shared in a variety of ways, through narrative, art or music, as well as through the many important organizations that help... Continue Reading →
About two years ago, this blog featuring stories of friendship was born amidst a time of loss and isolation. In early 2021, vaccines were slowly being rolled out, but the many pandemic-related losses were still raw. Our children missed important milestones at school and our work lives were disrupted by the uncertainty and financial impact... Continue Reading →
Friendship deserves to be cherished and enjoyed. That’s something we encourage you to do every day. But sometimes you reach an important milestone with a friend, and it becomes time for a special celebration. This is one of those moments for us, as this is the Language of Friendship’s 100th Post! We started this blog... Continue Reading →
With gift-giving top of mind this time of year, the pressure to find the perfect gift for a friend, family member or colleague can be overwhelming. Last year around this time, Sara suggested some inspired gift ideas. One idea from that list I'd like to revisit is giving to a charitable cause. Research clearly shows... Continue Reading →
I know the holiday season is here, but I'll be honest, this is the time of year when I sometimes struggle to find joy. The days are short, with the early evenings looking like midnight, and the cultural pressure to exude holiday cheer can certainly weigh heavily on those of us who may not necessarily... Continue Reading →
As we look toward the holidays, our focus often shifts to reconnecting with longtime friends and family. This holiday season, I challenge you to also remember to focus on the day-to-day connections that sometimes get overlooked or underappreciated, but can really make a difference in your own life or to someone else’s. What do I... Continue Reading →
I recently had the opportunity to attend an event with Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor as the featured speaker. The crowd was largely made up of distinguished lawyers, businesspeople, and university officials. But the Justice wasn’t interested in speaking to just them. Her focus was on the small group of students in the audience.... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 