(written on December 21, 2015) In fifteen minutes, I am heading to our local Walmart to ring the Salvation Army (SA) bell. Since before I was knee-high to a grasshopper, Christmas has been accompanied by the loud, red bell and the jolly (and sometimes not so jolly) bell ringers! From children to senior citizens, the Salvation Army attracts people of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities! Spending an hour of my life reminding busy shoppers of others’ needs is a small sacrifice, but hopefully one I will cherish! Confession is Good for the Soul Let me get a confession out of the way first. I … [Read more...]

As I prepare for a happy Christmas with my family, I think of how often my drive to give gifts and make people happy (with gifts) clouds my mind from giving to those who simply cannot give back to me. Exchanging gifts is a blast and I hope I am able to give presents to my loved ones for as long as I can; however, there are so many needs and perhaps my time is an even greater gift. Volunteering to help someone else have a better Christmas, or life in general, is certainly a gift – to myself. Have you ever participated in a service project that left you feeling more fulfilled than any gourmet … [Read more...]

Did you have the best Thanksgiving ever? I certainly hope so! Mine was... different, but good. ~smile~ Recently, my Thanksgivings have consisted of getting up and driving to spend a leisurely day with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, Eric, and the pups. Our typical agenda? Cook, eat, laze around, play cards, and eat some more. It is my idea of a good time! This year, we shook it up a bit. At least, my sister-in-law and I did! We got up bright and early, put on some warm clothes, and participated in a Thanksgiving 5k – the Drumstick Dash. Before you get too excited, I should confess... we … [Read more...]

Slowly, but surely, our Year of Experiences is drawing to a close. It is hard to believe we are a mere month and a half away from a brand new year. It seems like each year flies by more quickly than the last. Though it has been a year of pain and sad goodbyes, it has also been a year of tremendous personal growth. This time last year, I had experienced little and was full of fear. Now, I am still far from fearless, but I have made considerable experiential strides. Before, my initial reaction to something new, even if it was something fun, was to quickly decline the opportunity. These days, … [Read more...]

Fall is in the air! Oh, when I think about how I used to let the seasons slip past me, I want to travel back in time and shake myself. “Stop thinking about boys! Stop worrying about whether or not you will get married someday. Look at the world around you, Heather! Get your head out of the clouds, go outside, and enjoy the clouds – and the beautiful leaves, and the cool breeze, and the autumn smells!” Since there is nothing I can do about the years I spent in La La Land, I can make up for lost time now by throwing open the windows, crunching through the leaves on an afternoon walk, … [Read more...]