Monday, November 25, 2024



Three women approach. With the taller one clearly beaming with shiny skin and a glamorous grin. She was more than happy to tell me that it was her birthday today. “I have always been a happy person. I mean what is your choice? I surround myself with positive people.”


Monday, November 25, 2024-Thirty bags of flour, fifteen bags of confectioners sugar “And 12 donuts. I picked them out individually. You know I make cookies for a living at my house. I make them with love…ever since COVID. It really is a wonderful thing to be my own boss. Ask my husband. I am always happy. We have been married 35 years.” Gentleman in the background confirms, nodding his head.  She goes on to open pictures on her phone and show me the pictures of cookies with intricate designs. The next woman in line is invited to look as well. We are given business cards and told to call whenever we have a need.
We All have a purpose; find it and nourish it


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The Beginning

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Friday, November 15, 2024

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Sunday, December 29, 2024

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MaryKate a middle aged woman is radiant with smiles as she patiently waits in line. “I just dropped my daughter off at the airport. I had such a wonderful time with my kids over the holidays. It is so hard for me to say goodbye, but I am so happy that they are happy in their lives.” As I start checking her items she tells me, “I have no idea why I am shopping or even here, especially because this store is in the opposite direction of where I am going.” MaryKate goes on to tell me her husband is suffering early dementia at 60 and he is unable to come out with her so she needed to hire a helper. “We never were happy together. He suffered depression and he could never keep a job but I took him back.” She goes on to tell me she is a lawyer, a public defender who finds gratitude in supporting people who don’t always have the resources. What a wonderful soul who seems to be able to give even when life throws her challenges. I admire her smile and her willingness to share such vulner...
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Sunday, December 1, 2024

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Friday, November 15, 2024

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Tuesday, March 13, 2025

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Marie, with long straight blond hair and blue eyes looks tired with wrinkles that are ingrained in her skin like dried out river beds in a desert. But her light, her intensity, changes when she talks. “Do you know I still live in the same house in New Rochelle that I was born in. I have had neighbors come and go but I am still there. The high school looks the same but it definitely has changed.” She tells me more about her community and then switches her focus and a warmth comes over her. “I remember the place that made me feel most comfort, was the church across the street. I still remember at age thirteen going to the church alone and feeling such a sense of peace, away from all of the outside noise. There was such a sense of stillness there. Now He, (she gestures to the sky) is always with me.” Through our conversation, Marie makes several gestures with her hands to show a kind of path to the Lord being up and down and the physical life being a horizontal plane. There is a real...
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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

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A man well over 6 feet and a somewhat muscular body with a hat spelling TRUMP rolled up to my line in a motorized wheelchair. He shared with me what a wonderful day it is. “It is just spectacular. Every day is that way. I wake up so happy to be alive.” As he was leaving he told me 6 months ago the doctors gave him 5 months to live. Tuesday, November 26, 2024-A woman in her 50’s with a somber air, serious expression and a cutting voice rushed to begin bagging as I scanned her food. From her energy I respect her space. “You know I had a death in the family yesterday.” As she talks you can feel the weight of her shoulders drop. Oh how my heart crumbled for her. How I admire her strength, humility and acceptance at that moment. As she leaves, all I could summon was that I would be thinking of her. Nature can teach us about the fleeting of moments...this too shall pass
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A response from...An Idea... published December 6th

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Friday, November 15, 2024

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Two men approach.  One goes right to the bags as the other starts loading the food on the conveyor.  This man has smiling eyes, wide rimmed glasses- a bit smeared and a chunky build. I ask him who taught him to be happy.  He said his life was not always kind.  He had suffered three strokes and he is happy to have survived and grateful everyday to be alive.  I question him if these events that happened years ago can still motivate him to have a good attitude.   “Well, I read.  I read about scripture.  I really think you would like it.”  We talk a little more as his friend said “I thought saying hello was a little strange but I am glad that we stayed to chat." Kind, good souls who seemed sluggish until they lit with a seed of light.  Hopefully that will germinate… This event reminded me of Tony, a sound engineer who uses vibrations and music to help patients in hospitals. He invited me to one of his workshops.  The virtual meeting inc...
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