Doubt Nagging doubt and uncertainty have replaced my fear. Yet, I know I am not alone as I share a cup of coffee with the unknown. Four other women, all with adults who experience disabilities and have been living an inclusive life in their own homes, feel my trepidation about growing older. What will it […]
Part Two: What is Next? Read More »
Balance. Is it possible in these turbulent times? When we think of balance, Mikelle and I see it differently. For her, balance is the lack of chaos and the smoothness of her basic routine. She likes a certain rhythm to her day while avoiding falling into a rut where every day looks just like the
Seven Steps to Finding Balance in a Turbulent World. Read More »
Why I have to get back to the islands. It is time for a “momcation.” I need a beach, a cocktail, and a whole night’s sleep. Being of the hardy sort, hard work is fine for me. I am of the hardy sort. I was blessed with great energy and long to be active in
Taking a “MOMcation”. Read More »
Hello Beautiful! Spring is sprouting here in the Rocky Mountain area. Daffodils and forsythia burst with bright yellows, fragrant pink and purple hyacinths delight us as we walk the neighborhood. After that wild March Madness, we hope that we can share our Springtime Strategies for coping and self-care in a world of constant change. We
Spring Time Strategies for Self-Care. Read More »
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
“Never let the things you cannot do prevent you from doing the things you can.” -Coach John Wooden Oh my goodness, the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel grows brighter by the day. I don’t know about you but Mikelle has visions of unlimited purse shopping at Target, endless coffee chats with
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 »
(NOTE: This is the second post in the series on Life Planting.) “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and the end of human existence.” ~Aristotle Can you pursue your dreams and support a loved one with a disability? Yes. Fulfilled dreams lead to happiness, which as a caregiver your so
How is your New Year Growing? Read More »
It is nonsense to say there is not enough time to be fully informed…Time given to thought is the greatest time saver of all. ~ Norman Cousins Some days I think the world’s favorite pastime is demonizing time. Without a thought, we banter about sayings like “I don’t have time for that.” Or “I ran
Are You Demonizing Time or Loving it? Read More »
Life with Mikelle: Balancing our Special Needs I thought living with my daughter would either be intense, even feverish. or cool and somewhat detached. After all, I am the “backup” her “just-in-case” person, the one she will use as needed, like a first aid kit. But, as any special needs parent knows, both scenarios
