A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Ray Guarendi present at the Athenaeum of Ohio. While he was full of words of wisdom, funny stories, and descriptions of family life that hit remarkably close to home, one thing he said keeps bouncing around in my head: Just because something is normal,...
A new study shows that people are more generous when they feel guilty about something—but that’s not the most interesting part. People are most generous (to others, their churches, and to charity) when they feel they’ve been forgiven for something they feel guilty about.
We’ve all felt...
I would like to share two stories from two completely different perspectives, yet are able to find common ground on this particular Saturday, one day after the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and one day before the second Sunday of Advent.
Yesterday, as I was “surfing” through the channels on TV, I noticed...
Today is the feast of St. Nicholas, one of my favorite winter holidays when I was growing up. It was part of the quiet Advent season without the expectations and pressures of Christmas. On the morning of December 6, I got up early and ran to the kitchen. Everyone in the family had set out bowls the night...
Every year, my neighbors decorate their homes with lovely Christmas decorations that first weekend following Thanksgiving. I love the lights, the greenery, the creche sets and even the blown-up Grinch and Charlie Brown figures.
But I must confess it causes me anxiety. Because, while I am drawn to Christmas...
One second. That’s all it takes to remind you exactly what your priorities are, or at least what they should be. I know. This past weekend, my dad fell. Not just any fall; he fell down my parents’ front porch steps…onto concrete. Oh, and did I mention he’s 78 years old? Luckily, his...
