My sweet friend, Monica, described it perfectly the other day during a phone call. She said something to the effect of, “There are some things in your life that are footnotes. Things that happen to you in the story of your life that have helped shape and define and mold you. But they are things that you hardly think of, or go days, months, years, without thinking about. Then there are the headlines. And I think cancer and other suffering must be one of those headlines. Sure, it might move further back in the paper, maybe to page 3, but it’s always a headline.”  Read more... (704 words, estimated 2:49 mins reading time)

On our Easter weekend trip to visit my grandparents, I spent time sitting next to my Nanny on the couch and just catching up. I shared stories about the children and escapades around our home describing rooms and flowers and scenery in vivid detail. Then she shuddered deeply, sighed and wiped away tears, “I guess we’ll never get to see your new house.” I grasped her hand and looked at her. I wanted to grab her and drag her to my car and drive 3 hours just so she could see it in person, so she could know it and imagine it and feel us living there.  Read more... (527 words, 2 images, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

Overwhelmed is an understatement of my life lately, and struggling with my faith has been paralyzing. As I sit with friends (whether on the phone or on my couch) who want to hear my struggles, I find the sobs strangling. These ones who have ministered to me on the spiritual and emotional level, these are the ones who don’t offer answers. They are the ones who listen and understand. And it is because of them that I feel even more overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by people who love me no matter where I am.

And where have I been?  Read more... (599 words, estimated 2:24 mins reading time)