Part Two Exhaustion Sets In In last month’s blog post, Mikelle and I lamented that we are still in the middle of a staffing crisis ourselves. Since then, I have met with other parents experiencing some version of this crisis in their own families. Compounding our situation are life challenges like parental surgeries and […]
It is Friday night, and I have a chance to do a bit of Salsa dancing with friends at a new brewery in town. It has been weeks since I have been with my friends, and I relish the time to relax and renew my wearied soul. The last two years have been challenging for
Staff Shortages are Scary. Part One. Read More »
I thought this summer, Mikelle’s long-standing birthday tradition of a large gathering of friends at the local park might insist on a return to normal after last summer’s smaller, more intimidate party highlighting a solo from a local cellist. It was a good party, but the buoyant celebration with kids running about, dogs chasing squirrels,
Rituals Matter Even When They Change. Read More »
These days the fruit on the vine bears a copious crop of frustration. December at our home in downtown Denver proved to be nearly overwhelming as lives changed, world events erupted, and my Steady Betty gold 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe met
The Fruits of Frustration Read More »
Gratitude exists in many forms here at the Shining Beautiful community. Health, safety, good friends and community, and wonderful women who cross our path for just a brief period at a fundamental moment in their lives. Mikelle and I know that no one woman will stay with us forever. The longest lasted ten years, the
Label Jars Not People…a Caregiver’s Perspective. Read More »
Five beautiful women gathered at the old mansion in the middle of town. The sky was not gray with clouds, or blue in color, but shimmered in shades ombre tinted from the forest fire up north. The air hinted of a fall on a late summer’s morning. A light breeze blew the old trees bordering
The Gathering of Women During COVID Read More »
Happy New Year! As we begin this new year, I am aware of two things. One, I am getting older. Two, the world is changing faster and faster getting more complicated every day. My strategy is to learn to be young in thought and deed. Young people tend to be more adaptable, flexible, and even
Bless our hearts. The heart, our capable and vigorous organ pumps our life force throughout our body. It pumps while we wake, slumber, worry, laugh, hug, quarrel, growl at traffic, touch a lover’s hand, sip hot coffee, savor a mint julep, or a tangy sassy margarita. As Christmas approaches, our hearts are focused on family,
Recently, Mikelle and I had the honor of interviewing Jim Warne, film producer of the documentary, 7th Generation. I met Jim at the Washington Initiative on Supported Employment annual Community Summit last June. She attended is a powerful session on disability, the importance of community and tradition and learned more about the terrible trail of
Jim Warne, Ogalala Lakota film producer meets Mikelle! Read More »
To Mom on your 90th Birthday. Your life made mine and mine have shaped Mikelle’s and has sewn into the hearts of many to live life well and to shine beautiful. The women who come before us help us today as special needs moms. A tribute to you. You showed us how to stitch our
