Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. Mother Teresa Every summer my father used to put on his ripped jean shorts, grab some plastic bags and a crudely-made walking stick, and take us on a windy journey through the ivy-infested woods of our back yard. The mission: blackberry and raspberry picking! We’d spend hours half-listening to Dad drone on and on about the insects and the flora and fauna and anything else he found interesting. While we desperately tried to fill up our bags to the top, they were always … [Read more...]
Maintaining the Comforts of Home
July 25, 2011 By 1 Comment
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned” Maya Angelou Even though I left home to go to camp during the summers, starting as early as age 7, I still remember the familial feeling of finally arriving back home after weeks away. My bedroom was always much colder than usual and spotless, devoid of any sign of life—the carpets freshly vacuumed, my bed tightly made and my desk clear of any clutter. However, it didn’t take me more than an hour or two to feel back in my groove, … [Read more...]
Encouraging Your Kids to Carpe the Diem
July 20, 2011 By 1 Comment
You can’t change the direction of the wind but, you can adjust your sails to reach your destination – Jimmy Dean. The concept of seizing the day, making the most out of every possible moment can sometimes feel like a tall order. I had once believed that people are hard-wired in different ways and some are actually incapable of looking at life through the glass-half-full lens. This doesn’t mean that they’re miserable people, it simply means that they approach situations differently and are more prone to be affected by the gamut of … [Read more...]
Living Life Without “Conditions”
July 11, 2011 By 4 Comments
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails" - Unknown. My mother was a very private person yet she was extremely selfless when it came to her family and friends. I don't think I fully grasped the extent of her "unconditional aura," her true altruism, until I was in the receiving line at her funeral and met random people from all walks of her life, each of whom quickly relayed an equally touching story about the impact Mom had on their lives. But, it wasn't until I saw the standing room only crowd inside the sanctuary that I was … [Read more...]
