by jo | Aug 12, 2014 | Everyday Stories
When I saw that Robin Williams had died, I cried. A few silent tears ran down my cheeks at first. And then they just kept coming. Out of nowhere it seemed, I had grief for a person I had never met. This has happened to me when they are related to someone that I care...
by jo | Aug 5, 2014 | Everyday Stories
In 2 days, I will turn 25. Kind of a big birthday in my eyes. On my last birthday, I wrote a column about the discipline of celebrating what is good, even if life is hard. It was a good piece that I still think I should abide by. The thing is, I wrote about how life...
by jo | Jul 29, 2014 | Everyday Stories, Jesus Time
About a year and a half ago, my world shattered. Today is not the day for those details. Just know that I don’t use the word “shattered” lightly. I lost people, places, calling. I used the word “decimated” a lot. I walked around in a fog of grief: The heaviness that...
by jo | Jul 22, 2014 | Everyday Stories, Myths & Cliches
Recently I was with a group of people and we were talking about what was going on in our lives and the topic turned to one of the girls there who is leaving her job soon. “I know it may be bad,” she relayed, “but I’m really giving it my all...
by jo | Jul 15, 2014 | Everyday Stories, Myths & Cliches
Tackling myths & clichés: When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade First of all, life doesn’t give you lemons. But since we’re talking about them, you know who has a lot of lemons? The Italians. And they’re some of the warmest, happiest people out there. Go to...
by jo | Jul 8, 2014 | Everyday Stories
A few weeks ago I wrote my own eulogy. It’s a writing exercise I’d heard of many times, but one I had never done. But, I’ve thought about my own death since I was a young kid. As someone who always assumed I’d die young (a belief I’m just...