Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
Every few seconds, someone around the world needs a blood transfusion. It might be due to an accident, during surgery, or even as part of cancer treatment. While medical innovations have led to everything from artificial limbs to devices that keep the human heart running, there’s still no true substitute for human blood. The first... Continue Reading →
Labor Day weekend is here, a time for Americans to enjoy a holiday intended to honor the achievements of our workers. Because this holiday comes late in the summer season, many of us coordinate our celebrations with a wrap-up of summer fun before fall temperatures kick in. I plan to spend a day at Cape... Continue Reading →
Earlier this year I heard a story about one woman's love of ballet. Unfortunately, her family didn’t have the money for her to take lessons when she was a child, so she thought she would never learn to dance. But eventually she did learn ballet - and even performed in a production of Swan Lake!... Continue Reading →
My son Hank is having the bittersweet experience of acclimating back to life at home after I picked him up on his last day of summer camp earlier this week. As the youngest in our family, all three kids have now officially aged out of camp, and we have mixed feelings about that. For those... Continue Reading →
Although the arrival of August may signal the end of some favorite summer pasttimes and back to school for some students, I’m not ready to let summer go just yet! With temperatures still in the 90s and daylight lasting until 8 pm, the season is by no means over. The following is a list of... Continue Reading →
Not all friendships are meant to be, and walking away can sometimes be in our best interest. You may be surprised to read that statement in this blog that champions friendship, but it's true. When a friend becomes a harmful or negative presence in our lives, we may have to prioritize our own well-being and... Continue Reading →
Sometimes a meaningful gift—one that is sincere, beautiful, and personal—can be a powerful reminder of a connection. Staying connected with friends in adulthood can be challenging, when work and family responsibilities seem to dominate our time. If we’ve moved across the country as adults, friendships can span states and time zones, making it even more... 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 →
Earlier this summer, my son John graduated from high school. Since then, his calendar has been filled with graduation parties, a summer basketball league, and just hanging out with friends. In late August, John will start college at Syracuse University in upstate New York. While I'm excited for him, I will really miss him. Fortunately,... 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 →
Language of Friendship 