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January 2, 2025

Start Fresh with Clarity

Welcome 2025—a fresh calendar, a clean slate, and endless possibilities. It’s a time to dream, plan, and set your sights on something that truly m

December 26, 2024

The Power of Citrus

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! I wish you continued celebrations with your family and friends during this special season. As we enjoy the rich in

December 19, 2024

Easy Holiday Baking and Cooking Substitutes

Holiday meals are about bringing people together, but when some guests have food sensitivities or allergies, it can feel like a challenge to make ever

December 12, 2024

Doorstep Dining Done Right

‘Tis the season of parties, buffets, Christmas cookies and oodles of joyful gatherings that include delicious, even healthy, food. At the same time,

December 5, 2024

Post-Thanksgiving Mini Reset

Thanksgiving may have left you feeling a little too much like the stuffed turkey centerpiece. If you’re ready to shake off the sluggishness before m

November 28, 2024

Savor, Stroll, and Stay Thankful

Thanksgiving. A time to enjoy the company of loved ones, share stories, and of course, indulge in delicious food. Here’s a tip to help you savor

November 19, 2024

Gobble Up These Thanksgiving Preparation Tips

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, gathering, and indulging in an amazing feast. However, hosting can sometimes feel more like a marathon than a ce

November 14, 2024

Mediterranean Feel-Good Soups for Fall

As we transition from fall into the holidays, staying mindful of our health goals can help us enjoy the season without feeling run down or overwhelmed

November 7, 2024

Healthy Eating FAQs and Answers

Before I get into this week’s topic, I must first retract a statement that I made last week about Mr. Non-Compliant. I stand corrected, as he did NO

October 31, 2024

Mr. Non-Compliant’s Birthday Fest

This week Mr. Non-Compliant (aka my dear hubby) celebrated a birthday. He flaunted his morning non-compliance by leaving the EMPTY cinnamon roll box o

When the rain won’t stop…

It is the kind of autumn day where it seems as though the sun will never shine again.  Dark, damp, rain…all day.  Isn’t life like this too sometimes?  Too often?  We begin to think everything will be fine.  We’ll find not just any job, but the Best Job, with great pay, and all those bills that have piled up will magically be gone.  The children will behave, all at the same time, and not one will have a cough or runny nose.  Our dog won’t run off the minute the front door is opened because there is a squirrel going up the tree in the front yard.  Oh, and the sadness over our sick loved one will subside since there really is a cure for the disease, or the memory will certainly return…if only the rain would stop.

But it doesn’t stop.  One day seems to just flow into the next like a giant wave, with no distinction, no break, no sun.  Circumstances beyond our control.  Tough to face and impossible to change, to fix, to heal.  We do, however, have the ability to choose hope.  We can decide to be thankful for the little glimmers of sun that are cast into the day. 

Glimmers…it is still a job, and although it may not be the Best Job, it will suffice while a plan is made to find the Best Job.  In the meantime, to choose to be the very best in the current circumstance, while seeking out others who may know just the right person to contact.

Glimmers…the children are generally healthy and happy and quite silly and loud most days.  They are the sunshine with their smiles and carefree spirits.

Glimmers…the dog.  With all the stuff that accompanies owning a pet, the dog makes the owners laugh at her silly ways.  Her morning “doggy yoga” stretches, waiting at the kitchen door for any morsel to drop on the floor or land in her bowl, sleeping the day away, because dogs can do that.

Glimmers…as long as there is breath, there is hope.  We lean on those who help us, love us, through our pain.  This lifetime is but a brief moment in time.  We are promised more…we are promised that the rain will stop.  We are promised an endless sun.

“When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”   Micah 7:8 KJV 

Something to think about…

As we direct our focus on the tragedy that took place 10 years ago today, we are overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed with disbelief, sadness, gratitude and the spirit of community.  As we viewed the steel beam that was delivered to our town from New York City, the small tattered flag on one end spoke volumes.  The bent piece of steel that was salvaged from the World Trade Center, is symbolic of our American spirit.  We mourn great loss, but we are still here.  Scarred and tarnished, but strong.  So many lives have been changed forever, and the rest of us are called to love them through their pain.  As brothers and sisters, that is simply what we do.  Of course, we wish we could fix the broken hearts that refuse to heal, bring back parents, children, friends.  Snap our fingers and make it all disappear.  Don’t we?  Wouldn’t we love to be able to heal all wounds so easily? 

We are changed from every event in our lives.  We grow into the person we are today because of history.  Our history.  Today, as we think of all that we have witnessed and all that we are, let us be thankful that we can.  Let us be thankful for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and those who would do so without thinking twice.  I am blessed to know such people.  Thank you.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 NIV