I ventured into the world of book (and blog) writing to fulfill a promise to my beloved mother-in-law. Sue's bright light was extinguished on December 2, 2010, after a valiant 13-year battle with breast cancer... just five month's after her first grandchild (my daughter) was born. Now as a mother, entrepreneur, friend, sister, daughter, wife, and torch-bearer of a legacy, I paddle my boat, one wave at a time, toward that promise to her—and now to myself. In death as in life, Sue continues to motivate and inspire me. Follow me, and I'll do my best to pass the inspiration along. To life!
What’s your favorite fairy tale? Mine is the one in which I’m a children’s book author. When I was little, I imagined it as: unknown girl is destined, acts, triumphs, and lives happily ever after. Maybe even throw in a TODAY show appearance. But that flight of fancy didn’t take into account the state of the … More Publishing: Choose Your Own Adventure
I’m so glad my friend Nate posted this on Facebook yesterday. It made me all kinds of happy. Nothing is so pressing that you can’t take three minutes to watch this. And what a great GREAT message, not just for kids, but for all of us.
As most of you know, since my mother-in-law’s death I’ve been on a mission to find ways to keep the memory of Sue alive for my baby girl. That desire, in turn, sparked a passion to help other families in the same situation. Unfortunately, I have many close friends mourning the loss of a parent, right … More Arroz Con Pollo
This goes out to all you hardworking moms, multitasking dads, and thoughtful friends—with an extra special shout out to all you creative types fighting the uphill battle to live the dream. You are awesome. So awesome, in fact, that you deserve more than just one baby panda. You deserve five. Warning: This video may cause cuteness overload. Proceed … More Baby Pandas
That’s right, parents. You, too, can subject your toddler to child labor. Best of all, they LOVE it! Szaba is a big fan of washing the car in particular. Come on, what toddler doesn’t like: (a) being outside, (b) hanging out with Dad, and (c) playing in sudsy water with sponges?
Here are some of the many special people we’re remembering today and a little snapshot as to why. I hope this little project brings a bit joy to your day and spurs you to share a story of a loved one with those around you. If you’d like to add your own memory here, it’s … More Memorial Day Remembrances
With my friends Heather and David getting married this weekend, I’m in a wedding kind of mood. And who better to wax poetic about life stages than Joseph Campbell?
Let’s do something together for Memorial Day. Let’s memorialize someone. Here’s what we’ll do: In the comments section below, just write the name (first only is fine) and a memory or two you’d like to pass on about them. Even just a phrase or sentence is fine, though stories are welcome, too! You can even e-mail … More Memorial Day Project
It isn’t a plant or an animal. It outnumber plants 6 to 1.
If you ever want to feel really REALLY shitty about yourself: Leave important people out of the obituary. Yes, I’ve done that. Me, the editor. The supposedly thoughtful, sentimental one. And let me tell you, add that feeling to the general crumminess of grief, and you have the perfect recipe for a clammy pit of … More How to Apologize
My Castle Heart Publications 