by dlb916
It’s Christmas time AGAIN! Didn’t we just do this eleven months ago? Actually, I guess it’s been Christmas time for the past 3 months judging by the holiday displays in the stores. I think I saw my first Christmas commercial in October and the carols on the radio weren’t far behind. UGH! For the past …
by dlb916
What a year! My word for 2021 was curious, and 11 long months later, I’m curious how the heck we survived another trip around the sun. The year started with optimism and Covid vaccines. We were going to be rid of those pesky masks and social distancing in no time…or so they said. Eleven months …
by dlb916
This has been the year for warranty work. In January, I noticed something in my left eye that I couldn’t rub out or wash away; things looked a little fuzzy. I made an appointment to see an ophthalmologist and, much to my chagrin, I was informed I had a cataract. He kindly offered to examine …
by dlb916
Timeouts don’t get the credit they deserve. Timeouts provide the giver and receiver a chance to rest and reset. Although often considered a reprimand by the receiver, I have first-hand knowledge that the giver can feel pretty bad about them too. Many years ago, my son kept whining that his arm hurt after a soccer …
by dlb916
Did you know there are two definitions for the word committed? The first defines committed as a dedication or devotion to someone or something. Committed is a strong and unwavering intention to do whatever it takes to succeed. We all know people who are committed. We’ve watched in awe as they overcame insurmountable odds and …
by dlb916
I worked in end-of-life care for 20 years. Quite often people commented, “I don’t know how you do that. Isn’t that incredibly sad?” To which I usually replied, “That’s how I feel about accounting.” My honest reply was always, “It’s a calling, not a career.” Granted, it’s not an easy job and it’s not for everyone. Empathy and compassion are mandatory. …
by dlb916
In social work school we were required to practice silence. Crazy, right? We were instructed to sit across from a pretend patient/client and not speak for 60 seconds. Do you know how long it takes for a minute of silence? It’s like two hours! Silence is powerful. It gives the speaker and the listener time …
by dlb916
What a year this week has been! Try as I might to be Zen and peace-filled, the past seven days have been really, really hard. As my family was lovingly gathered to sit vigil as our sister made her way to heaven, I was exactly 816.9 miles away awaiting THE call. A little background…My sister, …
by dlb916
Cancer – possibly the most dreaded word in the English language. The word cancer is loathed and feared – a word that strikes terror in the hearts of those diagnosed, and in those who walk the journey alongside their loved one. For the past 20 years, I have worked with people who were diagnosed with …
by dlb916
Platitudes. We hear them often. The well-meaning comments intended to soothe or assuage: My boyfriend ghosted me – Plenty of other fish in the seaMy father died – Heaven just gained another angelWe had a miscarriage – You can always try againI have cancer – God never sends us more than we can bear. I …
