This year my husband and I are gearing up for our first Christmas in our own home in 18 years! Ever since we went to college, we’ve been going to other people’s homes and participating in other people’s traditions. Now all of the sudden we have to figure out what we want to do and … More Recognize a Mentor
One year ago, I typed this note on my phone at 11:12pm, a Minnesota blizzard raging outside: “Glistening ice on the window. Dim hotel room. Szaba’s sleepy sighs and swaddle squirms. Laughter of friends and nieces down the hall. Sad and happy, all mixed up. I know Sue is here, and she loved her party. … More Memorial Party Ideas
Tomorrow we’re honoring a holiday tradition started by Sue. She always took her grandkids to the theater this time of year, so we’re doing that for Szaba as well, just as Sue would’ve done. Sue’s mom Shirley even got Szaba a poofy dress for the occasion. I thought you might be amused by our attempts to … More Holiday Tradition
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
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
My Castle Heart Publications 