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!
Yesterday morning, I had a revelation. I was frantically getting ready, packing for my work day, and gathering Szaba’s stuff for the sitter. But Szaba wasn’t up yet, and I had to wake her. Now, if any of you have (or have had) toddlers, you know this can be a delicate matter.
Four years ago, our college friend Fu-Min invited us to his wedding in Singapore. It would be in December. Holiday mania would be in full swing. There probably wasn’t a busier, more stressful time to be traipsing off to the far corners of the earth. That’s why it couldn’t have been a better time. We came … More Carpe Diem
Tonight Ryan and I are going to dance and sing along with the contagiously uplifting Cee Lo Green, live in concert! I suggest you do, too. Ready …
Today’s post comes to us from Barb Brook, the artist I mentioned in my November 30 Days challenge. Like Martha, Barb is another one of Sue’s “Golden Girl” friends, five fabulous women who spent 25 years supporting each other and traveling the world. Barb’s recollections lead me to ask myself, “What one thing will I do today … More Phone a Friend
I’m not going to lie. The one-year anniversary of Sue’s death has wrung my soul out to dry. I’ve watched the clock, wandering through those last hours like the abandoned sets of a movie. I’ve wished. I’ve wondered. I’ve cried. But I know that Sue wouldn’t want me or any of us to spend our … More Mourning
Today’s guest post comes from my sister Robin. She wanted to share with you a valuable life lesson she learned from Sue and how she incorporates that lesson in her everyday life. It’s always so amazing to me that people even out in the periphery of Sue’s life were “changed for good” by what she … More Robin’s Sue-venir
It’s Black Friday, and I’m making my list and checking it twice. What I’m checking for is experiential gift ideas. Basically, the idea is: think beyond the physical items you’ll wrap and put under the tree. (Let’s face it. Sadly, the majority of those items are just going to end up gathering dust or in a … More The Gift of Experience
Never underestimate the importance of a good friend. Thanksgiving 2010, I got the call that Ryan and I had to fly back to Minnesota. Immediately. I was taking care of my 3 month old, unpacking from our Thanksgiving trip two days earlier, and putting up the Christmas tree. Ryan was still at work, returning home … More The Essential Friend
This weekend last year we were partying. Ryan and I were visiting Mankato for the first time with Szaba, and Sue had us booked: Day 1: Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with Sue’s dearest friends Day 2: A grand holiday family dinner Day 3: Coffee hour at home with her company friends Given that Sue couldn’t … More The Special Ornament
A few days ago I posted about Joan Didion’s book, The Year of Magical Thinking. Continuing in the spirit of “magical thinking” (and the bizarre of symphonic resonance of my post last week), here are three “magical” things that recently came to my attention, echoing of Joan and Sue: 1. Blue Nights 2. Conversation Through a Closet … More 3 More Magical Things
My Castle Heart Publications 