Happy Christmas

You know that old saying, “Misery loves company”? I discovered something this week: it’s true about thoughts, too. Miserable thoughts love the company of other miserable thoughts. I was watching TV the other night when I thought, I have a charley horse in my foot. And my thoughts were off and running in a whole chorus of misery: Charley horse, …

Tums Not Guns

What do you do when it’s three o’clock in the morning and you need medicine? If you live in a small town like ours, you can’t make a quick run to the 24-hour store around the corner. Luckily for me, I live a block away from my parents. And my mom has a mini-Walmart in her pantry—medicine, food, drinks—a person …

Here Comes the . . .

Dear Renee, Today is December 10, 2018. You’ve already chosen a word to be your guide for 2019. You’ve already set your goals—which is very uncharacteristic of you, since you tend to be a procrastinator. But not this year. You’re chomping at the bit and ready to charge ahead into the New Year. I’m writing this to you, my future …

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Have you ever had one of those days when you were feeling good about yourself and your life, and then someone said something to you and—BAM!—you felt like you’d been cut off at the knees? I had that happen last week. I was at a Christmas event, talking to a woman I’d just met, when someone came up to me …