I found this card, and its message spoke to me so deeply that I bought every copy the store had in stock. I love giving this card to women in my circle of friendship. Some I have known for years, some for days. I know when I am in the presence of a strong woman....
Ellen Beans
Birthdays: Love ‘Em Or Leave ‘Em
Birthdays have always felt important to me. I love celebrating life’s milestones – birthdays, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, new jobs, promotions, retirements and even housewarmings. Whenever something special happens in someone’s life, I believe...
Name That Person
Whenever we play Music Bingo, I find it easy to identify the songs, sing along and recall the artists who performed them. Yet, when I meet someone new, have a conversation and part ways with a friendly “it was nice to meet you,” I struggle to remember their name. This...
When Everything Feels Off (And You Don’t Know Why)
There are times when a day just feels overwhelmingly grey. Something beneath the surface leaves me feeling unsettled and off balance. I may know the cause, and I might have even tried to resolve it. But that grey feeling remains, occupying my mind and zapping me of my...
What Makes A House A Home?
Every home tells a story, and the meaning of “home” continues to evolve throughout our lives. As a child, home was my safe haven – a place where my parents provided support and security as I made friends, joined school and church activities, and planned my future...
Cheering From A New Seat: Watching My Grandchild Discover Sports
Our granddaughter, Sophia, has embarked on her first season playing basketball with the YMCA. In anticipation of her inaugural game, she and her dad logged in time practicing dribbling with her little basketball in the hallway at home. As her skills improved, they...
My New Year’s Resolutions Through The Years
I used to roll out of bed on January 1, head to the kitchen to start the coffee and stop in my tracks in front of the refrigerator. There it was, that big piece of paper clipped front and center. Bold, underlined words spelling out the changes I was going to make in...
A Text That Made Me Pause: Why Thoughtful Words Still Matter
The other day I received a text from a friend. It read, “My last 24 hours have been the happiest and most fun I’ve had in a long time, thanks to you.” After reading it, I paused for a moment, reflecting on what we had done that made such an impression on my friend. We...
Daily Life in Retirement: Finding Joy, Movement and Inspiration
I retired February 3, 2022, and left for a two-week trip on February 13. My family hosted a retirement reception for me on March 25. On March 26 I woke up and realized there were no more celebrations, this was my life now. It was up to me to create a new road map for...










