A good friend asked me to write a blog about my women’s retreat experience. So here goes: A weekend away: what will happen?Women taking time from their busy lives.Expectations raised.Tea cups clinking.Voices raised in conversation.Crafts, puzzle pieces jumbled in confusion, colored pencils, paint.“Let me share how to paint pumpkins.”“Look, I made a hat!”Racing around the…

If you had to choose one word to describe your life, what would it be? Take a minute. Concentrate. Close your eyes if that would help. Any word you choose at first glance is neutral. Words are like that. Once you start adding in the “why’s” or descriptive background, then your choice can become positive…

Twilight has faded.No warmth from the sun.Children’s voices are silencedAs pajamas are donned. The night is calm.The fountain trickles nearby.The crickets must be asleep.I let out a small sigh. Even the dogs are silentAs there is no moon.The stars are quite distant.The hazy sky fills with gloom. City lights in the distanceGrow dimmer with time.I…

The sun is going downUpon a changing scene.Memories flash byOf laughter, running free. The moon is unwilling to riseChallenged by a chill in the air.We’ve escaped summer’s grasp.Watch out! Fall is sending out its snare. Leaves change color:Fall in piles upon the ground.Children rustle through themFlinging leaves up and all around. Pumpkins from local fields:Some…

Friendship grows in different ways. Sometimes it starts at party. You’re invited by the host but you don’t know anyone else. You sit by yourself, desperately hoping someone talks to you. Then comes a surprise! You make a new friend because you find someone you have something in common with. You follow up that first…