The young woman was standing at the grave of the grandfather she had never met. We were in France at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial that overlooks Omaha Beach, where her grandfather – just 29 when he died, leaving behind a wife and two young children – is buried alongside thousands of young men who died…
2022 Holiday Gift Guide
The gift-giving season is upon us, so to help reduce your stress, we’ve created a list with sure-to-please suggestions. For Him (Courtesy of Kodiak Leather) Bring Everything Kodiak Yukon 30L Weekender Duffel $399, KodiakLeather.com Every guy needs a traditional duffel bag; this one combines plenty of room for clothes and personal items, and it fits…
Simple Christmas Traditions to Share With Your Family
Christmas will be here before we know it. If you ask me, the best way to celebrate the spirit of this peaceful and beautiful season is to share simple traditions with your family. Here are a few ideas to inspire your holiday plans. Seasonal Music Be sure to have your favorite Christmas playlist ready to…
6 Tips to Help Your Kids Fall in Love With Reading
My mother, Virginia, loved to read, and as the saying goes: like mother, like daughter. When I was 5 years old, she took me to get my first library card—a treasure that led to a lifelong love for reading. Our regular excursions to the library were nothing short of adventures. When I became a mother,…
A 5th-Century Roman’s Guide to Happiness in a World Full of Pain, Loss, and Injustice
My mother passed away in August, four days short of her 70th birthday. When we lose something we love, it’s easy to feel bitter, resentful, and cheated. It’s easy to feel that life is cruel, systematically robbing us of everything good until we’re left with nothing. While these feelings are understandable—forgivable even—they miss far more…
Parenting Matters: The Powerful Influence of Good Parenting
Alec was a state-level long-distance runner. He started running in seventh grade and continued through high school. He won the state championship as a high school junior. I forgot why he came to see me that day, but during the visit, he told me that the next weekend he would be running in the state…
How to Practice Gratitude as a Family
Thanksgiving is such a lovely time of celebration. It kicks off the holiday season with a focus on togetherness, hospitality, and, of course, gratitude. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving mark the perfect time to shift the focus in your home to an appreciation for the great abundance that you and your family enjoy and…
How to Deal With the Fear of Dying
“If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?” That challenge from Stephen Levine, author of such books as “Who Dies?” and “One Year to Live,” brings many readers to a dead stop (pun…
Holiday Gala Etiquette: ‘Tis the Season for Get-Togethers
It’s that time of year again, so here are a few tips on being the favorite guest at any holiday gathering. RSVP Is Not Optional The best hosts will send printed invitations with preaddressed, stamped return envelopes four weeks in advance to allow guests plenty of time to add the party to their schedule. Other…
A Worthwhile Proverb? ‘No Good Deed Goes Unpunished’
The saying “No good deed goes unpunished” has always intrigued me. I’ve wondered whether it has ancient origins, like so many other proverbs, and was curious about the context from which it was born. I’ve also always had mixed feelings about it, wondering about the intention behind the saying and whether it’s a good saying…
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