Many years ago, I was invited to a college alumni event at a fancy restaurant. One of my former professors had congratulated me on my work in addiction treatment research and sent me an invitation written in gold calligraphy. As I looked around the room at...
When I’m in the need for some nourishing self-care, one of my most favorite things to do is book an appointment for a manicure and pedicure. Somehow, life feels more manageable when I look down at my hands and toes and see unchipped polish. My favorite...
On a flight to Mexico City a few years ago, our family of four shared Row 14 with a couple from a small Mexican village. They were headed to their daughter’s wedding in the city and shared details about the festivities planned for the wedding...
When Ella was five, she found a teeny-tiny caterpillar in our backyard. It was orange with a green head. She loved it and declared it was her very best friend forever. She named the caterpillar Carrot. She kept Carrot in small jar with a cotton ball...
While making spaghetti last week, I noticed that our bulb of garlic was beginning to sprout a tiny, green stem. I decided to drop a single clove into a cup of water, just to see what would happen. The next morning, there was a two-inch green...
A little girl with pigtails was watching the zookeeper carefully. I watched as her wide eyes carefully tracked the snake moving through the zookeeper’s hands. The zookeeper talked about the snake and wondered if anyone would like a chance to hold it. A boy’s hand...
Emma is very interested in TV shows that feature baking competitions. Last Saturday, we watched a new show that combines the talents of engineers and bakers. In pairs, the competitors had several hours to make a boat out of cake that could motor 20 feet...
While driving down a busy street in Phoenix, I was playing that maddening game we sometimes play with a car next to us where we slow down and speed up, attempting to move into the lane the other car is in. Today’s game was particularly frustrating....
Every day this school year, I have written short notes to include in the girls’ lunch boxes, zipped up next to crackers and ready for them to find during their lunch breaks. In each day’s note, I try to notice and appreciate something I value in each of them. Things like:You...
I can think of very few times when I’ve been delighted to call a number and hear a recorded voice saying, “Thank you for calling. Press 1 if you…” …but there’s a first for everything. I recently heard about a free hotline that offers sage advice...