author, writer, editor
Barbara 
What an interesting coincidence that hope is the topic for today, the first day of the new year. Every January first, a new seed of hope germinates within us. Will we, in this coming year, create or sustain the life we dream about? Can we become all that we sense is our destiny? Hope is … Read more
Faith is the belief in things unseen. In Opening Hearts Dr. Sauvage shares that his faith was passed on to him as a child by his mother but deepened and made his own through his observations and scientific study of the universe and the human body. In the complexity and miraculous nature of both, Lester … Read more
Dr. Martin Luther King knew a great deal about forgiveness and Opening Hearts begins Chapter 4: Pain, Compassion, Choice, Transcendence with this quote from him: “As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation—either to react with bitterness or to seek to transform the … Read more
The second day of the Novena of Peace focuses on love. In St. Francis’ prayer to become an instrument of peace, we seek to love with our whole being. Lester Sauvage, MD has been an amazing example of that kind love. The quote that begins his autobiographical chapter in Opening Hearts is from the Jesuit prayer of … Read more
This year’s Novena for Peace is a little later than last year because I had the privilege of being with my parents for most of the month of December to assist with my mom’s recuperation. She’d taken a nasty fall this past autumn and my sisters and I took turns going to Florida to help … Read more
January is the month of birthday gifts for me even though my birthday is in June. Keene is my first gift and Cheri is my second. Before my middle child was born on January 22 three plus decades ago, I worried (of course I did; it’s a habit). Could I love her as much as … Read more
Today is my sweetie’s birthday. On this day over 40 years ago I made him a birthday cake and invited him over to my house to surprise him with it. It was a very bold move on my part but his birthday fell on a Friday that year so I was hoping he’d say yes. … Read more
It was only a week into the New Year and I already needed to smooth my wobbly start to 2014. But luckily, I was graced with a couple of serendipitous events yesterday that helped get me right back on track. One was a phone call with a dear, long-time, long-distance friend who changed my perspective … Read more
As December winds down, it’s time to reflect on where I’ve been and where I’m going. So what lessons learned in 2013 might guide me into 2014? The biggest one this year is that life itself is a miracle to be embraced every day with gratitude and love. It’s a lesson life has taught me before, … Read more
The Servant’s Way Isn’t Easy The servant’s way is a challenging paradox; if it were easy, everyone would be following it. St. Francis understood the paradox of the servant’s way. Jesus mastered it. And teachers and prophets from many traditions teach the same paradox contained in the final words of the Prayer of St. Francis: For … Read more