Pearls of Reflection

I’m still working on letting go. I’m sure that I’ll have it mastered soon and can write about something else. Ha! A few days ago, I was feeling crabby about the snow and 20 degree temperature. As my family...

I’m surrounded by signs of both spring and St. Paddy’s weekend here in Chicago. Irish tunes play in the coffeehouse, people walk by the windows adorned in green, the neighborhood frozen custard stand re-opens....

She wasn’t my biological aunt or my adult children’s biological great-aunt, but she certainly deserved these titles. In the notes for her own obituary, my late Aunt Justine referred to Judy as “the best...

If kneeling is a form of prayer, do I get extra credit for taking this sacred posture in the Atlantic on a 20 degree Fahrenheit morning?  Ha!   My 30 year-old and their partner thought it would be fun...

While celebrating the holidays in both the United States and Canada, I encountered several examples of “othering.” For those not familiar with this word, Merriam-Webster states that “othering” means “to...

I haven’t had much luck as a “wanna be birder.” To prepare for my first outing, I had dug an old pair of binoculars out of our cabinet. As the other birders stared with fascination at the apparently rare...

Mark and I have dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights for a long, long time. We’ve tried to spot them on numerous trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the North Shore of Minnesota, and in various...

There was a rhythm to her raking.Whoosh.Whoosh.Whoosh.Then, a bigger WHOOSHas damp leaves were tossed onto plastic tarp. Whoosh.Whoosh.Whoosh.WHOOSH. Againand againand again. As Raker surrendered to...

Last time I biked to this Evanston coffee house, I wasn’t carrying any cash. This time, I was prepared with a couple dollars. I immediately recognized him, although I didn’t remember his name. He was wearing...

As I obsessively tune into the relentless news cycle, I’m overwhelmed by all the chaos around me. Chaos within me, too. I have no idea how to respond. And yet, when I begin to feel this sense of powerlessness,...

I wake early to misty rain on dark windows, reluctantly arise, craning my neck to catch a glimpse of pink sky. Yes! I’ll venture out! I take the solitary path towards churning waters, pausing to...

For many years, I communed with the Buddha statue in the Peace Garden. During this time, I took photo after photo of him sitting among the fall leaves, the winter snow, the spring buds, and the summer...

A 15 kilometer hike doesn’t sound like much, but the elevation, rocks, roots, and uneven steps all posed a challenge to my knees.  There just aren’t opportunities to be a mountain goat in Chicago!   By...

As I packed for a pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland, I was apprehensive about how the local people would welcome us Americans. Our president certainly hasn’t helped our international reputation. I decided...

There’s so much heartbreak in these devastating political times. I wanted to participate in one of the “Hands Off” demonstrations earlier this month. Instead, I was healing my own heart by taking a spring...

Who am I? What does my driver’s license say: gender, eye and hair color, height and weight? (How honest is the latter?) How do I present myself? What do I wear? (This one’s easy – no one...

The teacher said, “Feel joy as you breathe in. Feel peace as you breathe out.” Really? I’m struggling with this walking meditation in the dark Gothic chapel. I long to be outside in the light. Besides,...

“To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3-1 A time to listen...

As I enter this new year I want to trust in the Light the same Light that dwells deep inside every person and living being. I get distracted by all the loud and negative voices that disregard the dignity of...

Start small with a tiny baby an old carpenter and a wide-eyed teenager. Add a weary donkey an inquisitive cow and some wandering shepherds with their smelly sheep. Place a bright angel in the scene as...