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Filling the Space
How often I say the words “life changes in the space between one heartbeat and the next.” Many, if not all of us, have learned the truth of those words. We learn that truth in pain, in grief, in trauma. We struggle to accept the reality of loss, battling between our rational mind that knows…
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Light somewhere
Someone asked me yesterday what I was like as a child. Was I petulant, rebellious, compliant? What words would I use to describe myself? It was a question that I both felt I should be able to answer instantly and one that I really had to think about for a moment. How would I describe…
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Finding Fierce
We had the gift of a vacation for the last week. Not just the “at home” vacation that we often have that finds me with more projects than time and not the “visit the kids” vacation which is always a busy whirlwind and never long enough. Nope, this was a real vacation away from our…
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Think of it as
There were many times when my kids were young and small things went awry. We were on our long-awaited amusement park vacation and it was pouring rain. Our flights were delayed and we had to spend an unexpected night away. We are all very familiar with this kind of situation, when things don’t always turn…
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Carrying On
After my brother died, in what can only be described as a tragic, and senseless, accident, my grief knew no bounds. I functioned but I know that I was a shadow of myself for a long time. We had the gift of being the best of friends in addition to being siblings and we had…
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Horse of a Different Color
What does how we look say about us? What does it say in a professional context and what does it say in a personal context? We live in a world where the sweat pants culture has become the absolute norm. And, don’t get me wrong, leggings are a part of my life every single day.…
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Blessings
It is so easy to fall into the “cranky” mode, especially this season. It’s a season of too much to do—the year ending professionally and personally, holidays and obligations and commitments that seem to have no limit and no end. I find myself sometimes muttering that I’d really like to “get a life.” That’s my…
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The Limits of Invincibility
I am the first to say that I have been blessed in many ways in my life. Family, friends, opportunities, work that matters—I am grateful every day. I am also grateful always for health and, I must confess, have the incredible gift of being able to take mine for granted. I do take care of…
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Giving Thanks
Not sure why but I always think of, and refer to, Thanksgiving as “my holiday.” For a lot of years, it was the one day I could generally get the majority of our brood gathered around the table. I loved the feeling of having everyone together for no other reason than to enjoy a meal…
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Expiration Dates
It was a strange and somewhat unsettling week for me. I’ve been a part of the board of my national association for more than a decade, been honored to serve in a variety of leadership roles and been privileged to express my opinions and thoughts at a level where they can, I hope, make a…
With a Full Heart
Reflections on Leadership and Life
With a Full Heart 