In the matter of a few weeks, much has changed. Words and phrases such as “shutdown,” “lock-down,” “social distancing,” “pandemic,” and “outbreak,” among others, have become part of the common vernacular. Most of these words and phrases are inherently negative in nature, evoking feelings straight out of a Dean Koontz suspense novel, one in which…
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On March 15th, political and cultural commentator David Brooks — who also writes for The New York Times — appeared on Meet the Press, NBC’s weekly Sunday morning public affairs program. As with every program right now, the show’s main topic of dialogue was the current coronavirus crisis. During the course of the program, what…
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Her phone’s quiet ding signaled an incoming text message. She picked up her phone and read the message, then gasped in disbelief. “One of our customers just left a check at the counter for $1,000, to be split between myself and three of my coworkers. He said that he wanted to help us out in…
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If you don’t scroll the walls of social media, watch the evening news, interact with anyone, (and basically, live in a giant zorb), then for you, the coronavirus isn’t evoking feelings of fear, tension, and confusion. For those of you who are unfamiliar with zorbing it is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside…
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When he died at age 90 last spring, we wrote here praising the work and legacy of the Canadian philosopher, theologian, author, and humanitarian, Jean Vanier. A man of deep compassion and humility, Vanier was, along with Fred Rogers and Henri Nouwen, a spiritual hero of our team. Becoming Human, his 1998 bestseller, was one…
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It was snowing here in Pennsylvania. It was not predicted to be a huge snowfall. But it was enough to slow things down. Less traffic on the roads. Events postponed or cancelled. It was a Saturday and many people were staying inside if they could. An excuse to take it a little easier for a…
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Snow angels and one more moment to live His home on Florida’s warm and sunny coast was far away that cold, snowy January morning. A fresh and gleaming six-inch snowfall had covered the Maryland countryside the night before. Snow hung from tree limbs and they shone brilliantly in the piercing sunlight after the storm clouds…
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Dear Friends, We consider ourselves story-tellers, so today we’d like to share a story with you. Carol’s son overdosed on fentanyl three years ago this summer. She was devastated. He was bright, witty, and articulate. Very artistic and creative. When Carol met with the funeral director to plan his memorial service, she requested that…
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That was Fred Rogers’ favorite quote. It was framed and hung on a wall in his office. “What is essential is invisible to the eyes,” from Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince. “It’s not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately nourish our souls,” he once said, expounding on the idea…
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What do you do with the mad that you feel When you feel so mad you could bite? When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong… And nothing you do seems very right? What do you do? Do you punch a bag? Do you pound some clay or some dough? Do you round up…
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