Thank you, Rhonda Bletsh, for sharing your heart through words in this guest post. On 3/16, at 4:41 in the afternoon, 2021, Bruce’s soul left his Earthly vessel. With it, hetook a piece of mine. In that moment when I watched him take his last breath, my new life was beginning. Ijust didn’t fully comprehend... Continue Reading →
Today's guest blog post is written by my friend, mentor, and former boss, Rhonda Bletsh. Thank you for sharing the depths of your grief, love, and gratitude with us, Rhonda. As the one year anniversary of my husband’s death approaches, I find myself reflecting on all that I have. In those first seconds, minutes, hours,... Continue Reading →
This guest post is written by Dr. Teresa Burns Murphy, one of my former professors who has served as a writing mentor for me for years. I'm so grateful for Dr. Murphy! If you want to hear more about how she's helped me, be sure to check out my podcast about those who add value... Continue Reading →
"Maggie, your sparkly shirt looks so pretty this morning." She climbed over the chest at the end of our bed, the morning sun reflecting off the sequins on her pink t-shirt. Her face beamed slightly, disguising a little smile. "YOU look so pretty this morning, Maggie," I changed my compliment after seeing her little smile... Continue Reading →
Today I was talking to a recovery friend about the value of sponsorship. While listening to her talk, I realized (again) something valuable about sponsoring others in recovery. When I sponsor (and you can apply this to mentoring others, too), I'm afforded the opportunity to RE everything :). You know what I mean. Relearn. Reexperience.... Continue Reading →
A few years ago I selected "placid" as a focus word. Each year, rather than writing New Year's resolutions (which I have never been fantastic at keeping), I select a word as a focal point. Sometimes the word serves as a catalyst. Other times it's a theme. The year of "placid," it served as a... Continue Reading →
I woke up humming a tune. “Whippoorwills in the willows…” I love that little song. It takes me back to a sweet time in my life when I had fewer cares and responsibilities, a time when love enveloped me like the warm comforter I nestled in as I awoke with the June sunshine streaming in... Continue Reading →
Let me give you guys a quick snapshot of my life right now. I'm wrapping up my position as a full-time faculty member at a community college, grading finals like a demon while saying plenty of sad goodbyes to colleagues and students. I receive daily emails which I print out to add to my "kudos"... Continue Reading →
I pulled into the driveway of my close friend’s small brick house one autumn afternoon, the air thick and humid, stuck in transition from summer heat. She wasn’t home, but her neighbors’ kids ran and yelled at one another in the front yard next door, enjoying their first few moments of freedom after school. I jiggled... Continue Reading →
I asked my Composition II students to write a brief essay explaining their motives for expressing gratitude and offering at least one example of a moment when gratitude was expressed to them or when they chose to express gratitude to someone else. This essay was written by my student Jessica Whitmire, who is always smiling. Students like... Continue Reading →
Gratitude Cup 