Month: November 2025

I confess, I take things for granted. I try to be thoughtful and grateful in all things, but there are just so many things that are pebbles in the path that I walk on day to day, that receive none of my attention, appreciation, or acknowledgement. That is, until they break. For example, imagine a dishwasher that stops working right before Thanksgiving, with a sink-to-ceiling pile of dishes waiting for its automated care. What do you do? Let me guess… You stop and suddenly recognize the sheltered life you were living, and how fortunate you are to have an amazing modern marvel of innovation available at your fingertips. You are overwhelmed with gratitude for having that normally available to you. Well, not me. I threw a fit. I recall having a very animated conversation with the suddenly broken dishwasher about how inconsiderate it was to us. I’m pretty sure my five-year-old self came out to tantrum and pout.

I’m spoiled rotten. I admit it. I’m surrounded by incredible technological scaffolding that supports my ever whim, with even more innovations appearing every year. Yet, in all its helpful splendor, I have lost the wonder and deep appreciation of its magic. We take it for granted. We transfer our weight into its hands and expect it to carry us without so much as a polite recognition of the burden it bears. Sadly, it’s not until something breaks that we truly see its criticality and impact on our lives.

This past week, as I stood at the sink with my kids dutifully washing and drying dishes, it hit me. We are so blessed. We have so much to be thankful for and to appreciate. As the aroma of turkey, gravy and pies hung thick in the air, my mind suddenly connected to all my circumstances. I was surrounded by my family. Some had engaged to gather dishes, some to wash, and some to dry. I took a deep breath and let that moment soak into my soul.

Outside, the wind was blowing colorful autumn leaves across the yard. We were sheltered from the cold, and my daughters laughed as they juggled the pile of dishes. I grinned. What a joy it is to be alive and with the ones you love! Our table was full. I glanced at our digital memory frame, projecting photos of loved ones who are no longer with us. They smiled at us, bringing gifts of memories and celebrations from times gone by. I breathed out a prayer of thanks and took the drying cloth to the heirloom gravy boat. I paid special attention to the detail of the old vessel. Oddly, for years I had given it no attention, but this year it had my focus, at least for this drying moment. I gave a sigh of thanks. 

We are surrounded and attended by so many good things. People, tools, and traditions. They carry us along life’s journey. This past week was another reminder to me not to take them for granted. Appreciate every moment. Respect and acknowledge their importance in everyday life. Say thank you. Be thankful. I was reminded yet again of my many blessings… even if I had forgotten to count them.

As we move into this busy season, I hope we’ll all remember to notice and appreciate the little things, and each other, along the way.

And yes, thankfully,  the dishwasher did get replaced… and used… a lot.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You are wonderful! I mean it. There is nothing quite like you in all the universe. You are more than the collection of atoms you see looking back at you in the mirror. You are a living soul, a consciousness illuminating and reflecting the wonder of creation. You ponder. You dream. You laugh at surprises and weep at sadness. Your life creates a story and threads those memories through your soul like a loom creating a tapestry. It stretches beyond the horizon and dreams deeply into the future. You shape time with your presence and color the sky with your passions. You are truly amazing.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you don’t matter. You are worth more than gold and priceless beyond measure. Time and space bend to your presence. You craft a mark on the universe with every breath you take. Exhale, and the cosmos folds around you; inhale, and the world becomes part of you, fueling the unique wonder of your life and your limitless potential. There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.

What should we do with this potential inside of us? Create something! Speak into the void and shape the landscape. 

As we ride this terrestrial globe, color the days with love, texture each moment with kindness, and decorate the present with care. Connect with other souls and discover the force that multiplies our existence: when we unite, the wonder multiplies. Together, our song becomes a harmony; our unique solos become a symphony. We need each other more than we know. Every voice matters. Together, we change the world.

This week is Thanksgiving, and as I reflect on gratitude, I’m reminded of the privilege it is to know each of you and the human family we share. I’m thankful for you all.

Our story keeps evolving, but there is one constant: Each one of you is infinitely marvelous. Go be you, with all your heart. We need that. The world needs that.

I wish you joy and gratitude this Thanksgiving!

Did you entertain any guests on Halloween night? We were visited by 13 groups of ghosts, princesses, heroes, and zombies. My girls and I took our turn haunting our neighborhood for goodies as well. God bless the dear souls handing out full-size candy bars, even to eager parental chaperones like me! What is this, Christmas?!

Speaking of which, it’s time to flip the page on the calendar and prepare for the fast-arriving holidays! I know, you probably grumble about the way-too-soon sprouting of Christmas trees next to the Halloween décor at your local retailer. I laugh about it myself, but I confess: we religiously open the attic on November 1st to unleash the holiday cheer in our home, too. Down come the tree boxes. Plastic bins packed with lights, ornaments, greenery, golden treasures, and silver bells all parade their way into the main hall. Popping sounds of bins and boxes echo across the house as they unleash their seasonal joy. Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Michael Bublé paint the air with their familiar festive vocals. The Keurig sets aside the coffee pods and begins churning out hot chocolate… heavy on the chocolate. Slowly, the scent of jubilation begins to fill the air!

Pass me the ibuprofen! This weekend, in addition to setting up our four Christmas trees, I strung the lights on the house, across the back woods, and onto the fence. It takes a solid day and a half, and about a week to recover. I’m pretty much a wimp. I still can’t use my back or even move my legs without pain. I’m used to riding a train of meetings all day, filling out PowerPoints and spreadsheets, not lifting, wrapping, hanging, draping, and zip-tying all that spectacular magic around our home. But oh my goodness, as night fell last night, our yard erupted once again with the multi-colored, sparkling madness that is our seasonal decor. That’s right! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I’m quite sure our neighbors love us.

The holiday season is here! But it can be stressful. There’s so much we want to do. There are projects to wrap up, things to buy, people to see, and tasks to get done. But don’t lose sight of the joy! If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or anxious, pause and reflect. The miracle of merriment presents itself when we get a chance to enjoy our labors, savor the beauty around us, and spend time with the ones we love. So yes, if you’re crazy like us, pull down those boxes. Hang up the delightful decor. Cuddle up next to some cozy memories. Reminisce and appreciate the season. Share time with your loved ones… oh yes, and if needed, take some painkillers as directed.