Years ago as I was raising my four sons another mom asked me if I sat around and watched TV all day. (more…)

Have you ever read “The Little Black Book,” a Lenten booklet based on the writings of Bishop Ken Untener? I wish I had the time to explore all facets of the Bible, but I don’t, not at this stage of my life. (more…)

My dad has so many favorite expressions I could fill a book with them. Here’s one: “Youth is wasted on the young.” Sounds silly at first hearing, but think about it. (more…)

As a mother of four sons, ages 19-24, I found Sean McVeigh’s book, I’ve Got to Change, invaluable. Moms always want to help their kids, but as those “kids” grow older and begin to think that they know it all (more…)

Good intentions gone awry leave a person feeling kind of stupid. Such was the case this morning. First of all, waking up early was impossible as my son and I had stayed up playing the new Beatles Monopoly game last night. (more…)

If my teenybopper memory serves, “When Jupiter aligns with Mars then peace will guide the planet.” Mars must be playing hard-to-get with Jupiter today because many goofy things kept happening to me. (more…)

I met someone who characterizes people into two groups. Not white or purple, not smart or dumb, not male or female. My new friend says, “You are either a jerk or you’re not!” I find the simplicity of her thought dead-on. (more…)

A carpet of snow blankets my part of the world. Unfortunately, my road was recently demoted from a state route which makes plowing nearly non-existent. Driving to my parents’ house (45 minutes away on a fair summer day) had me re-thinking my day’s plan.   (more…)

Peace, serenity, humor, contentment, hope, faith, love, quiet, harmony, stillness, optimism, trust, acceptance, comfort, tranquility, joy. (more…)

St. Nicholas Day. A day when my four little boys used to set out their shoes in a neat little row for St. Nicholas to fill with a special treat. Usually candy. Sometimes a trinket. Always appreciated. A precursor to Christmas. (more…)

How many times have we, as moms, waited for our children? Waiting nine long months, waiting through labor, waiting until our bundles of joy sleep (more…)

I warn you, this is not your typical Thanksgiving column. If you are the kind of Catholic mom who truly smiles from within to all comers, who wakes each morning praising God for the wonders He has bestowed upon you, who exemplifies living life for the other (more…)

When it comes right down to it the only One we can truly put our faith in is God. People let us down; we let people down. Life goes on. But God is always there to pick up the pieces, to console, to strengthen, to love us. (more…)

Once upon a time there was a little blond blue-eyed baby boy who brought such delight to his parents by his very existence. As he grew older this boy warmed the hearts of all he saw with his prize-winning grin and smiling eyes. (more…)

Tonight my family of men and I sat down to dinner. What was commonplace for years has become a rarity. For the past week and a half I have been bitten by the flu bug. Although I haven’t yet let loose with a swine-like oink, I have been feeling pretty bad. (more…)

Young moms are like blank pages. How will they fill their children’s lives? How will they write upon those pages to make lasting impressions? (more…)

It’s 1:30 in the morning. I have been sitting in what I refer to as my Happy Place for hours. It is amazing how time flies when I am writing (more…)

Oftentimes I sing a song at Mass that hits right on the mark. I think – Wow (more…)

The cure isn’t the miracle; it’s all the people praying for it – all the people making it happen.   (more…)

I have been given a great gift.

When I was little my parents owned a lumberyard, a fringe benefit being that when something was built around my house it was built to last. (more…)