Inhaling the Scent of Suffering

Smell is one of the most powerful memory evokers there is. Certain aromas and smells can transport us right back to places and people long ago. Gardenias take me back to my Uncle Louie’s house, reminding me of my family’s somewhat annual visits from...

We, the Divided States of America

Love Conquers All… We, the citizens of the United States of America, are a divided nation, and in less than 3 years we will celebrate our 250th birthday. Is it going to take a mega party to bring us all back together? During a recent fire pit gathering, a friend...

My First Holy Grounding

Photo Credit: Cindi Oakley Johnson, Mayodan Moravian Church Today is my home church’s homecoming. I say “home church,” because it’s the church I attended my entire childhood and youth and of which I remain an associate member. It provided the...

#blessed… Really?

Yours truly on Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI, 2019 Look at me in the above photo playing around on one of the world’s most famous beaches! That picture was taken on my first trip to Hawaii in early 2019. This coming December, I’ll be making my sixth trip to...

Can We Please Ditch the Labels?

I loathe labels. Think of all the various labels we’ve placed on people over the years: ADD, ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenic, special needs, disabled… these are just a very minute smattering of tags doctors, educators, and others slap on people to move them...