And in the end, the love you make…

My first experience with death, live and up close was on my second shift as a cardiac technician. I was 20, and had already worked in healthcare for 7 years, starting as a candy-striper, then as a CNA in a burn and HIV unit. I thought I was prepared to face end of life. I…

Xena, Tall Trees and Sturdy Roots

I have a love/hate relationship with my body.  I find that I am quite content with my appearance when I am alone in room looking at a mirror. I have pretty good hair, my figure is proportional to my height, I can take a deep breath and not feel restriction, and most recently I am…

Tending the Garden of the Heart

Whenever I am out in the world, the first things I notice are wildflowers.  I marvel at how they appear by the roadside each year, undeterred by the constant thrum of the traffic and its toxic fumes. I’m starting to realize that I am more like one of those wildflowers than I ever really imagined. …

Where have all the Gen-X Women Gone?

I was recently asked by a colleague why I thought organizations like the Red Hat Society and Masons/Eastern Star were struggling to grow and attract younger (40-50 something participants).  Rather than being the spokesperson for my entire generation, I thought I’d do a little research.  Here’s what I found…. Generation X – born between 1965…

Orchids and Cabbages…and the beauty of each.

Have you ever heard of a woman being called a “shrinking violet?”  A shrinking violet is actually a real flower, that shrinks modestly in sunlight.  I guess it’s a good metaphor for someone who is modest and introverted.  Around our home, there were no shrinking violets, but we definitely had a laugh about the women…