That white fluffy powder – it just keeps coming down in New England.  We’ve had four school snow days in four weeks.  I gaze at the accumulating inches outside my window . . . .  and I think about how this frozen water, a neutral substance, takes on meaning to so many people.  (more…)

I gaze out my window and I see only snow . . . a wall of winter white . . . and the world shut down.  Schools and airports are closed.  Doctors and dentists have nothing but cancellations.  Retailers hibernate.

And once the storm has passed, we are launched into work:  snow blowing, shoveling, salting, and plowing.  I’m reminded that snow days, like grief, require a persistent energy. (more…)

I’ll never forget a Thanksgiving sermon by Reverend Will Saunders.  He said that although we imagine the pilgrims were grateful because they survived the harsh conditions of their new world, perhaps we should reflect on the possibility that they survived because they were grateful. (more…)

I recently had a SMM (Seasonal Meal with Mom) with my daughter Victoria.  As we listened to mariachi music, she looked intently into my eyes and asked, “Mom, would you change anything about your past if you had your life to live over?” (more…)

They flew overhead all day long, the sun glinting off their wings.  We must have been right on their flight path since they came repeatedly, even into the night.  “Honk” “Honk” “Honk!” (more…)