Oh, how I love encountering quotes scribbled on coffee shop walls. Call it coincidence, fate, morphic resonance, or pure egotistical naiveté, but they always seem to be speaking directly to me. Case in point, this quote:
Did you know the brain “geotags” memories based on location? When you encounter a familiar place, according to a recent study, “It opens up these memory boxes and triggers a flood of old memories in vivid Technicolor, like they happened yesterday.” In other words, memory and place are intricately linked, on a biological level.
The holidays are an emotional time, full of joy, thankfulness, wonder … and, yes, often the resurgence of grief. It’s okay to feel sorrow amid all the merriment. As a matter of fact, you can take the fuel of that emotion and use it to propel you toward something constructive for you and your kids: a … More 5 Holiday Traditions in Memory of a Loved One
Regardless of your political preferences, this is a refreshingly honest talk on grief (see video below) from Joe Biden to military families in mourning. For anyone coping with a loss, I hope it will bring you some peace during this reflective time of year. “There will come a day, I promise you, when the thought of … More Hope and Hard Truths
Three years ago today, we lost Sue. It hardly seems real when stated so bluntly. And yet there it is. The facts belying a long journey of emotional pitfalls, resilient hopes, and surprisingly strong motivation. On the first anniversary, I wrote that it “wrung my soul out to dry.” That emotion has mellowed over time, though it … More 10 Things in Honor of Sue
In honor of yesterday’s release of the Johnny Cash forever stamp, here are 10 reasons why he deserves it. Prepare to be awed and inspired. 1. He worked his way up from cotton fields at age 5 to a Grammy (his first of many) at age 35. 2. He was a devoted artist, writing 1000+ songs, 60 of … More Inspiring Minds: Johnny Cash
Here are some of the many special people this community is remembering today, along with a little snapshot as to why. I hope this project inspires you to share your own story of a loved one. Loss does not take away legacy. It simply leaves it in our hands to champion that tale. I wish you a … More Loss and Legacy
I want to know the stories of that special someone you’ve lost. Too many times, we’re encouraged not to talk about such things. But those people are still a part of us. And what better time to remember them and their life stories than Memorial Day? Share with me. Share with us. Last May, I did … More Memorial Day Project, Take 2
I’m always amazed by the human spirit’s agility in the face of unending change, and never more so than at the start of a new year. What will 2013 hold for you, for me, for the world? New jobs, news discoveries, new inspiration? New losses, new challenges, new hope? This poem captures that adaptation better … More The Passing of the Year (Poem)
My Castle Heart Publications 