Songs shape us. The sensory power of melody writes both the lyrics and the emotions deep into our psyche, shaping our very identity. That’s why people with advanced dementia somehow remember the words to songs they loved in earlier years. My internal music library contains everything from Gwen Stefani to Josh Groban, but without doubt, it will be hymns that…
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The Hymns that Made Me
Winter in Yellowstone: Adventures in Wonderland
Roger and I were married on Dec. 15, 1978, and we spent our honeymoon in Yellowstone. In our memory, it was place of other-worldly beauty and mystery. Was it really that exquisite, or did our “love glasses” simply make everything more beautiful? We decided to find out. Forty one years later, we rolled into the park again. The verdict? Winter…
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Great Reads of 2019: A Reading Year in Review
I love the practice of taking stock at year end. Before setting goals for the fresh new year, I reflect on the year just ending. What surprises did 2019 hold? What am I proud of? Did I meet my goals? And importantly, what great books impacted my life? It turns out 2019 was a banner reading year for me, and…
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The Christmas Mama Lost It
If it glitters, sparkles or shines, my mama loves it. Her soul-stirring delight in all things fancy makes Christmas a religious experience, even apart from Baby Jesus in the manger. That gal was made for Christmas. The tree, of course, is the centerpiece of sparkly fanciness at Christmas, and I recall our trees as spectacular. Perhaps because we lived in…
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On Becoming a Skin Horse: The Upside of Aging
I just celebrated a birthday. The last one that begins with a 5. And although my losses are many – hair, waistline, societal status – I don’t bemoan any of them. Instead, today I’m thinking about that wise old skin horse in The Velveteen Rabbit and celebrating the upside of aging. I’m on a journey to becoming Real. The Velveteen Rabbit is…
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