Dear Reader Thoughts on growing older as my birthday draws near It's a few days to my birthday. A whole year being 77 has been a treat. I love the way 77 rolls off the tongue. Soon it's be 78. It's been a tough year in some respects. My health has given me a few challenges. Along with the challenges though, I've gleaned a lot of understanding. Especially about how I've been supported by the best in their fields. That's amazing in itself - and that each person was recommended and seen in the...
16 days ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader I love my 70s. When I was in my 20s and 30s I honestly didn't think I'd live past 40. The closer I got to 40 the more excited I became. And when I turned 40 and realised I was well, I was vibrantly alive, life became exquisite. Every birthday from 40 became a precious gift and I came to mark 'the beginning of my life' from my 40th birthday. The mirror reminds me that's not exactly true! But - I love to play 'what if' - What if I was only 38 in about three weeks? So with my 78th...
30 days ago • 8 min read
Dear Reader Is it REALLY hard? Why do I think things are hard? I started this sentence with one thing in mind, then thought of another, then another - all things I think are hard. Lately I've been remembering my friend Mina. Mina taught me a lesson I sometimes remember. When she was a little girl, her parents brought her to Dunedin to visit us. We decided to walk up Baldwin Street, officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's steepest street. It has a maximum gradient of 19...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Dear Reader I've had a challenging, and rewarding, two weeks. Bear with me as I put together a few seemingly unrelated things to give you a picture. It's left me feeling hopeful and excited at the possibilities for a future of greater clarity and depth to the resilience I know is mine. I hope you glean something from my writings that will give you courage to find something that works for you too, in your own way, for your own challenges. The Four Agreements Have you read Don Miguel Ruiz' book...
about 2 months ago • 7 min read
Dear Reader The Stories We Tell Ourselves This is an exerpt from my introductory post on my new Substack. The Long Thread Some stories come from lived experience, like navigating my son’s addiction and the long road of recovery. Others are shaped by imagination, like the cozy mystery I’m writing, set in a small café where trust is both tested and rebuilt. Some of my life stories still bring tears. Others make me smile. And many are filled with memories that warm my heart. I write for anyone...
2 months ago • 7 min read
Dear Reader Advice from a book summary I came across a post in Facebook discussing a book the writer had previously read. The title appealed to me, and, as I'm still not reading, I enjoyed her summary It might appeal to you, if you've ever wished you'd kept your mouth shut too. Keep it Shut One quote from the book struck a chord with me and brought back a flood of memories, "Just Because You Can Say It Doesn’t Mean You Should: Karen opened with something that immediately gripped me: the...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader I love this frog! It was a cold morning here in Hamilton. Cold and full of sunshine when we opened our lounge windows to be greeted by this cheery fellow. He was happy to see the sun too. He reminds me to enjoy the warmth of the sun, even in the cold of winter! Smiley frog greeting the sun. The best character strength to teach your children This is a little book I wrote, and ten-year-old granddaughter Bella illustrated, about 15 years ago. There's a back story about Beatrice, but...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader Wedding Anniversary A truly happy day! I am soooo excited. This week Neil and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. The photo I'm sharing sits on our kitchen wall as a reminder of that beautiful day. I often look at the photo of Neil and see how happy he was then. I look so I can check if I still see that joy today. Last time I looked though, my eyes fell on my face and the joy I see reflected there grabbed at my heart in recognition that I still feel that joy now - seven...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Dear Reader A little apology - Because last newsletter was a week late, I decided to keep to my schedule and share this newsletter on my Tuesday, as per normal. But I've written this on Mother's Day so I'm sending it out today, two days early! I'll be back on schedule next time I promise! Mother's Day Me and my Mum 2002 I'm writing this on Mother's Day because thoughts of my Mama have been with me since I woke up. This photo was taken not long before she died. Mum had vascular dementia and it...
4 months ago • 2 min read