If you grew up in the 1970s or raised your children during that era, chances are you spent more than a few evenings watching The Waltons. Set in Depression-era Virginia, this beloved TV show became a cultural touchstone, not just for its down-to-earth characters…

If you grew up watching Little House on the Prairie or reading the beloved books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, you know that the pioneer spirit wasn’t just about surviving – it was about thriving. The Ingalls family faced blizzards, failed crops, and financial hardships, yet they always…

As part of humanity, we all experience loneliness occasionally. I know I have. When I was first divorced in 2000 and found myself spending major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas alone for the first time, I didn’t know what to do with myself…

Loss comes in many forms. Some losses are tangible, like the passing of a loved one, while others are intangible – difficult to define and often harder to grieve. Ambiguous loss is one such experience: the profound sense of mourning for someone who is still alive. It’s a grief…

When I was growing up, I played a game with family friends’ kids called “Sign of the Little People.” We’d rearrange items in a room or place an unusual food item on the table, then erupt into laughter as we chanted, “Sign of the Little People!” Silly? Maybe. Fun? Absolutely…

Staying connected with your grandchildren when they live far away can be challenging. Believe me, I know! I have seven grandchildren ranging from 20 years old to 11 months old. All but one live in Southern California, and I live in North Carolina…

It seems like at every stage of life we say, “Well, they’re at that age.” Whether it’s teething, or asking why every five seconds, or moodiness, or midlife blues, or reinventing ourselves. In our 60s, we’re at that age where we often find ourselves newly divorced…

It is a challenging journey to navigate around a narcissist, yet it is a necessary step towards reclaiming your emotional autonomy. Let’s face it: those of us in our 60s and beyond have weathered the storms of relationships, whether married or single…

The first year after it happened, I was devastated. It was Mother’s Day and both my son and daughter, then in their late 20s, were using drugs and alcohol. I waited and waited for the call. Like all day. Nothing. I remember standing in the shower that night…

I’m going to start this article with my vulnerability hanging out. There’s no bra that holds vulnerability in and no underwire that can prop it up. It’s scary, and yes, my shoulders are a bit above my chin right now. But there’s strength in vulnerability…