Friday Tidings

Recently a friend was chatting with me about life passing by without her leaving much of a mark on humanity. We both are at the age where there is more life behind us than in front. She’d invested her time and career in an elementary classroom. She spent hours teaching kids to read, write, and learn basic math. Then there were those hours of parent conferences, teacher’s meetings, grading papers, and lesson plans—year after school year. But some Netflix show had made her feel less than purposeful because she hadn’t “produced” anything. The show had featured people who had developed everything from phone apps to marketable items that were unique and sought after.  These people had made their mark on the world by producing something purposeful. My friend lamented that she “only” had decades in the classroom. It didn’t translate into something tangible like a product to sell. My argument about students being our future didn’t resonate with her. I guess here in America, succes...

Let me begin by confessing it was my idea to pull out the 500-piece puzzle. Even though I help my granddaughter with her much easier puzzles, it has been years since I ventured to do a more challenging one. Perhaps I was hoping my husband, Tom, would say “No”. Instead, he went out to the garage and brought in our folding card table so we could take our time—not expecting to finish it in an evening. We had a warm fire crackling and ironically, the puzzle resembled a winter cabin scene—much like where we live. I began second guessing my decision to do a puzzle as I dutifully flipped all the pieces right side up. Then I slowly sorted them by color. Very slowly. Tom rejoiced when he matched up some of the bottom pieces. I inwardly groaned. This would take way too long for my get-it-done-quickly attitude. Puzzles are meant to be challenging.  But isn’t life challenging enough right now, my inner voice argued, without entertaining yourself with something designed to be hard to...

Long ago, Mom was our small town’s librarian, and I remember her telling me about an older man coming to the library almost every day just to sit and draw. He was an exceptionably gifted artist. Mom thought of herself as an amateur artist, so she would often ask the man questions about his art and some of his techniques. She always enjoyed seeing his sketches.  He also made intricately decorated cards for the holidays. Mom especially admired those. Then one Valentine’s Day, a few random people in town received beautifully handcrafted cards—sent anonymously. The next year it happened again, and each Valentine’s Day thereafter. It was kind of a sweet secret in our little town—and no one seemed to know who it was. I think the local paper even wrote about the mysterious Valentine. But the recipients were those who needed a bit of encouragement. Whoever it was seemed to know who could use some joy. I don’t think anyone ever found out who the Secret Valentine was. Years late...

I’ve heard that mothers of sons sometimes have a harder time letting them go. Perhaps, but if letting go means gaining a bonus daughter like I have, then I have had it easy. Sara became my son’s fiancée a year ago. Today I celebrate her first birthday as his wife.   Tommy and Sara met as Covid was wreaking havoc on the economy. Like many in business, they lost money and job security.    But they did find one another.    They continued on despite the setbacks. Entrepreneurship takes a special kind of courage. And they help each other on those days when courage runs out the back door.    In a world that can sometimes be unfair and mean-spirited, they are committed to rising above the fray and just being the best, they can—for one another, and for all those they enjoy serving.   As for Sara, her business takes ordinary events and makes them spectacular. From the food to the decorations, music, and ambiance, it’s incredibly welcoming. ...