National Nurses Week has me recalling both satisfying and difficult highlights of a 40-year nursing career. Assignments carefully thought out in the hospital, nursing home and home health setting could all be interrupted with the following. “Mrs. Smith is asking for something more for pain.” “You’ll be receiving an admission in 30 minutes.” “My father just […]
It was mid morning as Amy looked out her bedroom window at a sight making her heart skip. A young man with hoodie covering his head and face got out of an unfamiliar, window darkened car, parked at the curb in front of her middle class Orlando home. Amy called to her mother-in-law to take
A lonely misfit, I’ve rejected the well-meaning care and concern many have tried to show me. My heart doesn’t seem capable of forming meaningful relationships with anyone. Except my mother. She died and left me alone. My father died before her. But I gave them trouble also. I would get so angry and just do
THE ANATOMY AND CURE OF UNRESOLVED ANGER Read More »
My Child… You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways …Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered …Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image …Genesis 1:27
IT TAKES COURAGE TO FOLLOW THESE WORDS AND EXPERIENCE TRUE LOVE Read More »
“I really don’t want to. I’ve got a long list of things needing to be accomplished.” Wisdom replied, “If you take time to rest with me this morning and write a few words, you and others will receive a blessing.“ Heeding this advice, I did rest. As I rested, I expressed thanks for good health,
WISDOM’S VOICE WHEN I HURT Read More »
Each painful step up the stairs and into my home was a reminder of better things to come. My early morning scamper down 4 flights of stairs almost ended in a fall as my foot caught the carpet. I righted myself and recognized prideful thoughts in my head saying, “You certainly are quite agile for
Getting to know people is usually a delight to me. But typically, I don’t look forward to large social gatherings. Because of the noise, distractions and differing motives in attending large gatherings, I’ve found conversation can be dull and lack transparency. The past weeks presented opportunities to be part of large gatherings. In anticipation of
GREAT MEDICINE FOR SOCIAL STRESS Read More »
Three-year-old granddaughter Grace asked, “Can we make a birthday card for Papa Joel?” “Well, of course,” I replied. I collected the old greeting cards, scissors, glue and markers as she settled at the table ready to create. “What kind of pictures do you think Papa Joel would like?” I asked. “Boats, Papa Joel likes boats,”
SINCERE AND HEALING LOVE Read More »
At first, my 11-year-old neighbor’s question surprised me. Fun loving Emily is usually carefree about life. “Could I ask you the meaning of a dream I had last night? I woke up scared and couldn’t get back to sleep.” “Of course,” I replied, “I’ll try to help.” Emily continued, “In the dream I saw
WHAT MAKES HALLOWEEN SCARY? Read More »
For weeks following Hurricane Irma, my sinuses were congested and my body dragged with fatigue. The emotional sights of all needing cleanup translated fatigue to my physical body. The removal and mulching of countless trees and brush from our neighborhoods accounted for watering eyes and sneezes. But one recent early morning found me waking from
MY MOTORCYCLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING Read More »
My family reunion was held at a sleazy bar on the south side of Milwaukee. Our families, young and old, quickly filled the reserved lounge area with noisy conversation, snacks and juice boxes. Upon arrival, the children couldn’t resist the four miniature bowling lanes. They picked up miniature balls weighing approximately 2-3 pounds and slung
HEART OF A LITTLE CHILD Read More »
“I wish I could spend everyday helping others get their lives back together,” voiced a worker at a local recovery center after Hurricane Irma. Another reported, “The destruction is so sad but people coming together to help one another is heart-warming,” The trees in Key Largo are becoming less brown and greener as new growth can
THE STORM – PART 6 Read More »
