Almost three years ago now, I began telling friends and family that I was getting a divorce (and furthermore that I had initiated it).  There was a mixture of predictable ‘horror’ responses that fell into one of three categories: tragedy (‘oh what a terrible loss’), war (‘better prepare for a legal battle’), or judgment (‘you’re making a terrible mistake’).  Yet one response stood out for its utter singularity and unique wisdom — a friend’s father embraced me with, “What  wonderful news!  Congratulations!!!  How brave you are!  Getting divorced was the best thing that ever happened to me.” (more…)

Harold* is waiting to die.  There were six of us at his bedside in the county nursing home, leaning toward him singing softly: “Amazing grace . . . how sweet the sound . . . “  Tears in his eyes, he shook each of our hands saying, “Thank you, you don’t know how much that meant to me.”  Little did he know how much it had meant to us . . . ..how much he meant to me. (more…)

This past labor day, I made my annual trek with a girlfriend to a remote rock, 10 miles off the coast of southern New Hampshire, called Star Island. Every year we go out for a weekend of rest, friendship, and spiritual renewal.

And every year brings some gift of natural wonder. One year it was a spectacular sunrise. Another year, there were monarch butterflies all over the island. Last year it was the lull of the wild stormy ocean that seemed most mesmerizing. And this year, it was the sunset. Two panoramic sunsets. (more…)

I remember once, many years ago, I had moved out of my home but I couldn’t move into my next home for two months.  So . . . I put all my possessions in storage and found temporary furnished housing.  During that transition, I frequently referred to myself as an “unpotted plant.”  My roots were exposed, and I felt bereft and disoriented.  I couldn’t wait to move on.  I didn’t like the in-between.  Nope.  I didn’t like it at all. (more…)