Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
Spring never arrives with any consistency in the Midwest. Some days I notice the softening light or a few brave flowers trying to emerge from the ground, the next we might get an inch of snow. With the official start of spring this weekend, I find myself thinking about why this season is one of... Continue Reading →
With St. Patrick's Day coming up this week, you don't have to be Irish to get out and enjoy good times with friends. Many towns have parades and celebrations in honor of their citizens with Irish heritage this weekend. Pubs and restaurants often offer specials. World events may feel a bit grim lately, so taking... Continue Reading →
As Sara wrote last week, winter has a way of narrowing our worlds, with cold days and dark nights making cozying up on the sofa with a blanket preferable to venturing out. I also find this season invites reflection. While I’ve settled into a post-holiday routine, I’m still thinking about the year ahead and how... Continue Reading →
As we mark the final weekend of 2025, most of us are looking forward to 2026 and setting new goals while trying to put the challenges of 2025 behind us. But before we turn the page on the year, we’d like to reflect and share and some things that inspired us this year. While 2025... Continue Reading →
The company where I work, Abbott, sponsored a Veterans Day event on Tuesday that focused on the 25th anniversary of the release of the documentary film They Drew Fire. The film told the story of artists sent to the front in World War II to create art that would help sell U.S. war bonds. In... Continue Reading →
Saying goodbye to a beloved friend can be every bit as heartbreaking as a romantic breakup. When the bonds of friendship have a firm grip on you, facing a goodbye can be a painful reminder of how much your friends mean to you. My exchange student Lea returned home to Sweden a few weeks ago.... Continue Reading →
Greetings from East Tennessee! I’m here with my husband relaxing, taking in the views and vistas of the Great Smokey Mountains. I hadn’t been here since I was a kid, but the mountains are every bit as spectacular as I remember. As you know from her post last week, Julia enjoyed her annual visit to... Continue Reading →
As the 4th of July approaches, it's a great reminder to make the most of longer summer days with family and friends. Growing up my summertime highlight was my family's annual trip to Cape Cod. I loved visiting so much, I decided to work there summers during college, and as an adult resumed visiting the... Continue Reading →
April 23 is World Book Day, an opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of stories. We’ve shared book recommendations in past blog posts, and in honor of World Book Day, we’d like to share a few good reads about friendships that transcend geography, generations, and even species. We invite you to join us this... Continue Reading →
Since last spring I’ve been helping my 18-year-old son navigate the college admissions journey. In many ways, I’m better equipped than most parents since I’ve worked for and with universities, so I know a lot about the vagaries of the admissions process. However, those same qualifications created a bit of hubris in the approach I... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 