When I was younger, between the ages of two through twenty-ish, my parents did a lot of what was affectionately known as ‘entertaining’, particularly throughout the Christmas/holiday season. My Dad was an accountant and my mom stayed at home with my brother and I. Christmas was about parties at our house, mostly involving my Mom…
Hope in the darkness
“I have seen too many stars to let the darkness overwhelm me.” Macrina Wiederkehr. Yesterday I heard about a friend who was recently, suddenly, and unexpectedly diagnosed with what may be a terminal illness. Another friend is currently undergoing chemotherapy and yet another, navigating through the world of medications in hopes to control a disease…
Monday musing at the beginning of this Christmas season
Christmas and I have a complex relationship. There are some aspects that I love about this season: meals with my family, hanging out with friends, putting up decorations, and our Christmas Eve tradition in which our kids (well 2 are now technically adults and one teen) drag their mattresses from various locations in the house…
“Joy and sorrow are sisters; they live in the same house.” Macrina Wiederkehr
I first came upon this quote a number of years ago while working my way through a contemplative reflective book by one of my favorite spiritual authors, Macrina Wiederkehr. It has helped shape, form and hold me grounded as my continued life journey unfolds. On May 22, 2012 I held 2 very juxtaposed life experiences…
Giddy in Napa Valley
One could say that I’m giddy simply from the effects of wine tasting at 6 wineries today plus a glass of wine at lunch :). In reality, it extends beyond that and I am thankful to be celebrating an early 25 years of marriage with my husband, Dave. We first visited the valley in the…
Giddy in San Francisco
It feels somewhat surreal to be sitting here in the park at Hyde St Pier after 15 years since moving to Seattle from the bay area in California. I find myself reflecting on memories, friendships, experiences and the births of both my daughters. They were born in Santa Rosa in 1992 and 1994. Dave and…
Giddy in India
I posted previously about my excitement about our family traveling adventure to India. I am now home and wanted to share a bit about our adventure. My giddiness was about the joy of being able to share the culture, complexities, people and history of India with 2 of my children. India is a complex, diverse,…
Giddy on our way to India :)
‘Our bags are packed, we’re almost ready to go…..it’s going to be, a really, really long day….’ Flying Seattle to Paris, and then Paris to Mumbai. I’m about to embark on a marvelous adventure to India – bringing along 2 of my kids and meeting up with my husband who is already there. Dave works…
Walking and hummingbirds
I was out and about on my contemplative walk this morning with my faithful canine companion, Libby. It’s still rather chilly here in Seattle, but the sun was peaking it’s way through the clouds and there was a quiet calm and stillness over the lake. My brain tends to run more than a mile a…
“…the way is made by walking.”
“…the way is made by walking” Antonio Machado. I’m a walker and love this phrase. One of my favorite places in Seattle to walk is Greenlake. Libby, my 10 year old black lab, is my contemplative walking partner. I’ve walked the lake with her since she was a tiny puppy. She’s accompanied me on runs,…
Remembering my Dad
Five years ago today, my Dad passed away. I was out on a date with my husband. My phone was silenced because we’d just been at the movie, ‘Amazing Grace,’ and afterward had headed out for dinner at Restaurant Zoe in Seattle. I don’t remember when exactly, but at some point during dinner my husband…
Giddy in Palm Springs
I recently returned from a week in Palm Springs, Feb. 6 – 10, 2012. With awareness that the definition of giddy is: affected with vertigo, dizzy, frivolous and lighthearted, impulsive and flighty; my ‘giddy in Palm Springs’ was an experience of lightheartedness. I was traveling solo (which I don’t do very often), the sun was…
Sharon Richards 