Am I in Paradise?
The other morning Nick woke up and began singing as usual. I am always intrigued as to what he begins to sing. Morning songs have a theme. This time, he didn’t start at the beginning, “Oh think twice, it’s just another day...
My Not-So-Brave New World
How are you and your loved ones coping with Covid-19? I have heard this question from many sources recently. Many people are sincerely concerned about themselves and others. For the most part I am doing ok with keeping fear at bay over these...
Gratitude often comes after the event.
Over the last two days, I was reminded that sometimes it takes a while for my grateful heart to reappear after the crisis passes. This week began our annual season of thankfulness and gratitude, followed by the season of love. Each year I love...
Can I go on?
Nick loves to sing. He has memorized hundreds of songs and sometimes he is like a human juke box, singing one song after another, end to end. This musical feast can get interrupted. Arden or I might receive a phone call, or there is something...
My Definition of Crisis Changes!
My perspective concerning what constitutes a crisis can change in a moment. Because of where we live, we are often without electricity for hours at a time. Although this can seem like a hardship to bear, we really are comfortable. Arden has...
Hypervigilance can steal our good health.
Recently I was told that the definition of “hypervigilance” is an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect activity. It may bring about a state of increased...
Finding Joy
Nick is continually teaching me. Often his perception is profoundly different than mine. I learn these lessons if I am paying attention. One of the easiest things to notice about Nick is that he finds joy in simple pleasures. He loves it when...
Sometimes it does take a village!
I have heard this African proverb quoted many times. It is so popular now that we can just say, “it takes a village” and others will understand that we are talking about community, cooperation and group responsibility. This past week...
Do you see the beauty or the empty spot?
It took almost a week, but we finished it. The puzzle was a 1000 piece cityscape of Manhattan that was difficult. Our visitors are puzzle people too and we all worked together on this project. It sat on the counter in the kitchen as a focal...
Try saying “oh well.”
Nick is constantly my teacher. I want to share another valuable lesson he has taught me. Years ago, we noticed that whenever something bad had happened, Nick would say, “Oh well.” It might be when the stack he was creating fell over, or even...
Today was a good day!
I really enjoy spending time with the attendees at the MIRCI Conferences. They are women from all over the globe who come together once a year for three days to discuss current issues surrounding women, feminism and motherhood. It is inspiring...
Empowering Mothers.
Tomorrow I am presenting at the MIRCI (Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement) conference in Florence, Italy. Today as I reviewed my notes and slides for the presentation titled, “Empowering Mothers of Special Needs...