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Have you Ever Lost a Family Heirloom?
“Losing a family heirloom can feel like losing a piece of your identity, a tangible link to loved ones, and a symbol of shared history. The pain often comes from the object’s emotional weight—it’s not just what it is, but what it represents: memories, stories, and the love of those who came before you.” Why the…
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How Returning to School Can Impact Young People
It’s that time of year when many young people return to school. For some, it is the start of their first school experience, and for others it can be going to a new school or heading off to college. I thought those of you with children heading back to school might find the information my…
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Discovering a Warm, Caring Hospital and the Difference that Makes
Recently I needed to go to a hospital for some x-rays. The one closest to me was the Lansdale Jefferson Hospital in Lansdale, PA. From the moment my friend Laurie, who was my support person, and I arrived, we were greeted by a warm and caring staff, eager to make me comfortable. As soon as…
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Do Your Friends Care for You When You Are Sick?
Recently I twisted my upper body in an effort not to fall, and all the muscles in my chest and neck went into a spasm. The slightest movement on my part was so painful I was afraid every time I needed to move. Even as I write this, I continue to be in pain although…
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Do You Know How Old Your Dog is in Human Years?
I saw a brief article online that I thought I would share with you (and many thanks to my dear friend and colleague Suzanne O’Connor for her research on the subject.) I was taught that the way to calculate how long my dog would live was to use the formula that one dog year was…
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Helping Kids Appreciate the 4th of July
Every year we celebrate the 4th of July with family gatherings, parades and fireworks. Kids get a day off from school and most working adults get a day off from work. As we celebrate the 250th year of this country, I was thinking that many kids and even adults don’t know a lot of the…
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The New State of Fatherhood
With Father’s Day just happening last Sunday, I thought you might find it interesting to consider the nature of fatherhood and specifically your experiences. I will begin by inviting you to notice the thoughts, images and memories that came to mind when you heard the word “father.” Some of you may have immediately thought about…
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Managing the Urge to Speak
Recently, I had a conversation with my friend and colleague Suzanne O’Connor about how our impulses can cause us problems. Often, we wish we could do a better job managing those impulses. I did some research on the nature of impulsivity and learned the following: According to Web MD: “Impulsivity is the tendency to act…
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Planted in the Same Soil: Exploring the Continuum of Cult and Culture
(I, Diane Wagenhals, recently invited my friend and colleague to write a blog to learn the process of creating them. Here is her first attempt and I think it is excellent!) In a recent book group discussion, we were exploring the ways various groups meet our deeply human needs for safety and connection. During the…
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