The ancient Greeks had two words to describe time.  One was Kronos, from which the English word chronological is derived. It means clock time – time measured by seconds, minutes, hours and years.  Kronos time is gauged by the calendar. It’s fixed, full of deadlines, schedules and in this technology-laden world, annoying beeps and reminders […]

After our Mom’s tragic death in 1970, we just didn’t talk about her. My six siblings and I each struggled alone and didn’t share how we were feeling. We were all trying so hard to “move on.” We let her fade into the background. Not forgotten, ever, but too painful to be part of our […]

“You are in my thoughts and prayers.” Many of us, especially if we believe in God, often say that phrase when we attempt to comfort someone that has recently lost a loved one. I’ve said it many times. And wrote it in cards to people. And, I hate to but have to confess that I […]

Acceptance is hard.  Acceptance that someone you love has died; will never be walking through that door again.  Acceptance that your life will always be different, from this day forward.  In our household growing up, all time was defined as “before or after Mom died.”  Kind of like when you first become a parent, life […]

Heartlinks Grief Center, based in Belleville, Illinois serves all those that need help with their grief journey in Southwestern Illinois.  The staff truly understands how to help others grieve – and caring is central to their mission.  As Valentine’s Day approaches our hearts turn to those we care about.  It’s a special day we set […]

Blessings.  How do you define blessings?  My internet search found this definition: bless·ing [ˈblesiNG] NOUN God’s favor and protection:  “may God continue to give us his blessing” a prayer asking for God’s favor and protection:  “a pastor gave a blessing as the ship was launched” grace said before or after a meal. a beneficial thing […]

Okawville is the town we call home.  It is one of those small towns where people feel safe, where people care about their neighbors and root on the hometown basketball team.  I was pleasantly surprised when we moved back a couple years ago to find lots of activities and groups to join – a community […]

On Christmas Eve morning last week Pastor Jeff at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Okawville, Illinois, preached a sermon on “The Right Time”. The gist of this timely sermon was that everything that happens, (both those wonderful things and those things we dread), happens at just the time it is destined to.  At […]

“Christmas time is here, the most wonderful day of the year,” goes the chorus of the theme song from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  One of the TV shows we always watched as a family.  My Mom loved that little-animated cartoon with Burl Ives as the narrator.  And, like most of us, she loved Christmas.  The […]

JUST DO IT. is Nike’s tagline that challenges each of us to act, today.  Now.  Don’t wait, just do it.  Whatever that “It” is for you.  Of course, they want it to involve new shoes, but that’s ok.  The point is right. Just Do It (stylized as JUST DO IT.)[1] is a trademark of shoe […]