Last Christmas, I was alone with Jesus. I celebrated the day of His birth with Him. And Jesus was enough. Since my family were away and I chose not to travel, I had intended to share Christmas dinner with a friend and her husband and daughter. Unfortunately, her husband became ill and my friend had to cancel. I know she felt badly and if I had wanted to, I probably … [Read more...] about Last Christmas, I was alone with Jesus, and Jesus was enough
Family
Strengthening the bonds of family, those we were born with, those we are married to and those beyond who create a safe place for us to trust and grow.
Saying no to judgemental divisiveness
Many of us are grateful that COVID regulations, mandates, and lockdowns have largely been eliminated or lessened. In the past two difficult years, it was easy to slip into harsh judgementalism towards those who had different ways of navigating this strange pandemic. Even local churches have had to fight against the temptation to judgemental divisiveness over one’s vaccine … [Read more...] about Saying no to judgemental divisiveness
Friends for life – Dementia part 3
Rebecca’s mom has dementia. She lives at home with her husband, her primary caregiver. When a family friend asked Rebecca* if her mom would like to go with her on an outing, perhaps for ice cream or a picnic, Rebecca wasn’t sure how her mom would respond. But when Rebecca suggested the idea, her mom’s face lit up. She said, “I would LOVE to do that!” When Rebecca told me the … [Read more...] about Friends for life – Dementia part 3
How’s your mom doing?
When someone asks, “How’s your mom doing?” I usually stumble through a reply. Sometimes I shrug and say, “She’s about the same.” Yet that’s not exactly true. My mom is slowly, gradually declining. My mom has dementia. Yet even though the question is hard to answer, I’m grateful when people ask. I need to know that Mom still matters to my friends, as she matters to me, and as … [Read more...] about How’s your mom doing?
Indigenous Voice: There are two sides to every story
One thing I’ve learned in life is that when you’re listening to someone tell a story of some injustice, or hardship, there are always two sides to every story. As I was growing up, my adopted family treated me like one of their own, I always felt accepted and loved as I was growing up. Every once in a while, somebody would look at me different, or treat me different when they’d … [Read more...] about Indigenous Voice: There are two sides to every story