Essays

The Orange Chaise...the inspiration behind it all

There it waits...the orange chaise. Waiting for these stiff limbs to sink down on a chilly 6 a.m. morning. The velvet fabric faded, the...

Devotion: A Framework For Living

I spent a weekend in a no-frills cabin with a small group of women, most of whom I didn't know, at least not very well. I'm generally...

Outside the Screen

When I was 18 I got my first pair of contact lenses. Since the age of twelve I would shyly pulled out my ugly glasses to see the...

The Real Relinquish

Do you have a moment? Stretch out on the lounge chair beside me for a few minutes poolside. Close your eyes and imagine we’re here...

There You Are!

Years ago, I sat in a room full of people, listening to the teaching of a wise woman. Outwardly, I sat slumped in momentary relief,...

Connections

I expect my new running shoes to arrive today. Time to toss the beat up but faithful pair. Too many miles, too many years according to...

Lessons From the Creek

It happens around March, always when I’ve had enough of cowering cold and 6 pm sunsets, I start to trek the trail down to our creek. ...

Out of Order

This morning, an arctic-feeling January Sunday, I met with a young bride-to-be. This is just the sort of thing that casts a warm sunny...

The Place of Really Seeing

They say you can see three states from here. “Here” refers to what seemed a rickety observation tower atop the tallest peak in...

The Treasure Room

Here’s the wild and unbelievable story of our beginnings. That is, the story of our life that began twenty years ago on May 18th, 2000. ...

To Be First

First is a word, a status, a moniker bundled with meaning. It connotes something different for each of us, but also strikes a theme that...

Walking Backwards

“Climb the reading mountain Jackie!” That was my daily encouragement to my son as he patiently plodded through “A-A-apple. B-B- ball.” ...

Stepping Up to the Platform

It all began with a song. I remember it clear as day. Practicing “Greensleeves” for weeks on end, scrawling my name on the sign-up...

A Bridge Named Team

Hilariously, I crack open a book titled Yankees ’98 Best Ever. Me, the girl whose greatest insight into the game of baseball is “If you...

Bringing in the Color (Zinnias at the Sink)

All through August the oranges, yellows and pinks of bright Zinnias bloom and bob down in the garden. I can see them from the window. ...

When Did They Become People?

There were five around my table. Five heads up from sleep, sometimes way too early for a tired, messy-haired mommy. Everything from...