Travel is a great opportunity for story-sharing. Whether staying close to home or heading somewhere far away, the awe and rest we discover on our journey can lead to self-reflection. There are also great opportunities for conversation on road trips or extended adventures. Here are my favorite ideas for bringing story-sharing into your travels and […]
Children & Youth
For foster and adoptive parents, ‘family’ has many definitions
Polka-dot gift bags with crinkly tissue paper lined the table as a giant balloon in the shape of the numeral “9” swayed under the air-conditioned breeze just enough to elicit excited barks from our Golden Retriever puppy, Autumn. Atop the “Happy Birthday” paper plates enveloped in pastel hues and dotted with confetti was a slice […]
“Grandma, tell me a story…”
Some of us grew up without grandparents. Some of us never knew our grandparents. Some of us had grandparents who lived just down the street. Some of us had grandparents who lived far away. What was your relationship like with your grandparents? A woman I interviewed recently said a family secret kept her from ever […]
Sharing Stories with Our Children
It’s summer….and, for some, that means kids are at home or around more often. The pace of summer can be a great time to develop new skills, and studies show that storytelling can benefit a child’s language development, communication, empathy, coping, and meaning-making skills. The summer season (or any season!) is also a great time […]
Birthdays as a Blessing for Life
If you know me, you know that June is a busy birthday month for my family. We celebrate my dad, a brother, a niece, a nephew, a son, a host of extended family and friends…and me! It’s a busy yet special time filled with intention and memories of special ones no longer with us and […]