“Andi”—pregnant pause—“that was a major betrayal of you and Paul.” Those words hit deep. I had been in EMT mode, taking care of everyone else at the scene of the figurative crash site, until my therapist said those words: a major betrayal. They cut past my semi hardened flesh and nicked a part of my…
As I write this, I am on a camping trip with one of my closest friends and her family. I am so looking forward to the three-day weekend with these precious friends, despite the forecast of lots of rain. Unlikely Friends I first met this friend at a previous church. While I immediately liked her,…
Are you a planner? An organized woman whose life runs on a schedule that would make the airline industry jealous? Do you have your life arranged so well that you can hit your calendar with a dart and know exactly where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing no matter which square it hits? I…
Twenty-twenty was an incredibly lonely year for many people. The COVID-19 pandemic left us stranded in our homes, using virtual tools as a substitute for human connection. While technology has been an invaluable resource to help bridge the gap over the last year, it has also proven to be a poor replacement for true connection….
When I was seven years old, I moved from snowy Michigan to muggy South America. My parents were headed for the mission field, and I was along for the ride. Cabbage Patch doll and Pound Puppy in tow, I boarded a plane to Brazil. At my age, I was malleable and open to change; I…
Real-life relationships are important. COVID-19 has messed with our lives physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. As an introvert, I thought the shelter-in-place order would be no problem for me. I don’t mind staying home at all, but after weeks at home with no normal schedule, I began to see the benefit of real-life, face-to-face relationships…