I am at the mall grabbing lunch at Norstrom Cafe.  One of my fav places to nosh. A young girl in front of me appears to be searching for payment and urges me to go before her. I pay for my food and notice she is now asking others to go in front of her. It…

When I was a baby my family experienced a house fire in the home my parents were renting. Moving would be complicated. The strain of my dad’s drinking was shifting the financial burden to my mother. And they did not have the money to put down on a house. Therefore, my mom did what she always…

I am listening to one of my favorite speakers. I hang on every word. My body wilts with relief as stress exits and a sense of optimism bubbles to the surface. There is nothing like a dose of ‘positivity’ to water down the fears. Yet this particular moment in time, I am struck by the…

Anyone who has experienced the complicated journey of divorce has more than likely known their fair share of moments of stress and duress. Be it struggles over co-parenting, finances, etc., it may feel as if individuality is temporarily suspended in favor of another dictating your life. Or perhaps there is less spousal conflict and more…

I once listened to a sermon about life being easy. The priest compared it to sitting in an armchair contentedly watching life and getting by. The years I lived a comfortable life I won’t lie – like many, I thought I had just made smart, non-impulsive choices. I had figured out the riddle. I had…

There is a profound beauty in angels, both in their spiritual glory and what they represent to human beings. Angels surround us here on earth. They are spiritual beings, messengers of God sent to watch over us, guide us, pray with us and protect us. The word angel is derived from the Greek word Angelos…

Catholics are devoted to their saints. The saints provide valuable intercession to prayers and therefore, are often called upon for additional aid. They signify hope in times of despair and hopelessness. Not only for their faithful intercession but because of the tremendous suffering the saints endured while never abandoning their devotion to God. When praying to…

I lost my mom when I was just twenty-eight years old but rest assured if the chips are down my Catholic mother comes knocking. When I am overly stressed, confused, burdened, or lost I cling to her example. It might be daily mass, her favorite prayer, praying for a sign, or calling on the saints.…

I speak to anyone who has felt emotionally broken and spiritually repaired. When you end a relationship you must endure excruciating pain. For this reason, many remain in less than happy circumstances. The good news? It’s fleeting. It’s akin to ripping off a band-aid or wincing until the immunization is over. It is a temporary space occupied…

In high school, if my mom could hear me bickering with a friend she would pick up the telephone. “Girls,” she would say. “Are you being charitable?” My girlfriends and I would bust out laughing and completely forget the adolescent angst we knew just moments before.  Of course, so would my mother as she was…

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