It was quite unexpected. Her mother fell on a patch of ice the week before Thanksgiving. The broken hip was a concern, but following surgery she was admitted to rehab. It seemed as though all was well. But then there were complications. She died about a week ago. The family… Read More »So, This Is Christmas …
It’s like it happened yesterday. I woke up Christmas morning. It was still dark outside. No one else was awake in the house. I made my way from my bedroom, through the living room, to the dining room where my family always placed the Christmas tree. My eyes must have… Read More »Yes, I Believe in Santa Claus
I suspect that I’m like most people. While I can see that there are many serious problems in the world, I often feel that it’s beyond my ability to change any of them. What’s one person able to do? Often, many people feel powerless in the face of the complex… Read More »The Christmas Story: Lessons from Ordinary Lives
The events of the last two weeks have given me a great deal to think about. Two weeks ago, the country was poised in vigil waiting the announcement from the Grand Jury in St. Louis on whether changes would be made against Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael… Read More »Advent and the Challenge of Ferguson
Thanksgiving Dinner: friends and family gather; recipes are shared; people travel great distances to be with loved ones. There’s something unique and special about the American Thanksgiving holiday. I have fond memories of Thanksgiving from my childhood, with my mother making a unique stuffing for the turkey as well as… Read More »A Difficult Conversation for Thanksgiving Dinner
He’s an experienced social worker. Now in his mid-thirties, he’s taken a position as the leader of a crisis team in his urban county. He and his team could be called on to stabilize mental health related crises anywhere in the county. This was the kind of job he really… Read More »Compassion and Compassion Fatigue
(Originally posted on November 4 2011) I mostly meant it as a joke. But there was a serious side to it. Some responded to the humorous intention. Surprisingly, it proved to elicit thoughtful comments from others. There were even a couple people who sent private messages to explore my off-handed… Read More »Quotidian Mysteries
This week, guest blogger Chris Shea considers the tension of living in the midst of information overload and how we can find happiness. Chris is a therapist, chaplain, and retreat leader. He’s written numerous books and articles. He also maintains a blog titled lifesjourney. To learn more about Chris and… Read More »lifesjourney with Chris Shea
