Category: Spiritual
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Courage and resilience
Most of us can recognize good leadership when we see it. The past few weeks world leaders grappled for the right and timely decisions. There was no perfect plan. But inaction was worse. While our circumstances change very little these days, our emotions experience an erratic rollercoaster. Alas, every day is in our power to…
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How is this quarantine affecting you?
Conrad and I are happiest away from crowds. We don’t have a TV and we don’t keep up with the news. So the pandemic was not on my radar at all, whatsoever. Until one morning when I found out from my social worker, during an evaluation visit for our adoption process, that the schools are…
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Timpul e relativ
…Iar atunci când îl aștepți să treacă, un an poate fi resimțit la fel de apăsător ca 2 minute. Doi ani am așteptat activ să adoptăm o fetiță, o fetiță anume, de care am aflat din întamplare că a intrat în sistemul de protecție, și anume, sora biologică a copilului deja adoptat de noi cu…
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After the darkest night comes the sweetest morning
Conrad was in terrible pain. A throat infection (his allergies make his throat sensitive – especially in the Spring) spread to his right ear. We are at the end of our wits energy wise. And yet, as a parent, when you think you can’t go any further, you muster up enough energy to push on…
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Casa Elim
We picked J. up from school and hit the road to Braşov on the highway, cruising in delightful silence taking in the gorgeous January blue & funky sky. We spent the weekend in the mountains with new friends from all over the country and the world. We so needed a change of pace & to get…
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Scrambling up – in my dream
I’m near the top of the mountain. It’s rocky. The type of rocks I love, warm grey, with greenery in its crevasses. Jackie is ahead of me. I sustain her weight at times, pushing her up with my head. Conrad is nearby too. I hear his muffled encouragement. The wind is howling. We’re near the…
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At war with sin
My mom had a clear understanding of sin as I was growing up. I talk about her boundaries and intuitive parenting skills, but they all boil down to her ability to distinguish sin. In her own life first and foremost. Her ability to live by grace and in consequence extend it to us. But I…
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About hope, shame and love
When I’m excited I overshare.When my husband is excited, he makes stupid jokes. Last night we got to pray for the courage to speak boldly the things that need to be said, and for wisdom to know when to keep silent, and do that the rest of the time. We got so wrapped up in…
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Acknowledge, Align and Assure
A decade ago I was hired by Apple and I went to a week of training as part of my onboarding process. Everything I learned there was common sense, but in this particular professional context, it had application and structure. We did role-play, we practiced how to give and receive Feedback, and I learned about…
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Drawn or drifting away
As I get older I realize cynicism is more prevalent. Be that as it may, it’s been ingrained in me to speak with honesty and always assume positive intent. This alone has spared me a ton of grief. I had nothing to lose by taking initiative in kindness even when occasionally it was returned with…
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Christmas came and went
I’ve been sick. My mind has been hazy. And in such a context, I have a hard time trusting my words. They can go either way: crisp insights or messy emotional ramble. Before Christmas Eve I reached out to the jurist, to thank him for his lifeline of availability and generosity in communicating with us,…
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Like the watchmen before dawn
It’s cold. We are exhausted. But I am filled with renewed hope. The icy waves crush into the shore. We squint to see a sign of light into the sea of darkness. The wind is howling. It’s deafening and mesmerizing all at once. I love a howling wind in a winter night. How long till…