The memory of 9/11 has not faded for most Americans. My memory of 9/11/01 is as vivid today as if it was only yesterday. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana I am incredibly honored that The Cross and the Towers has a link to the Selah Press Anthology 360 Degrees of Grief: Reflections of Hope and an … [Read more...]
Bold Strokes Upon the Canvas of Life
My mother was blessed with incredible friendships throughout her lifetime. I grew up in art studios as mother’s shadow. Today I learned that her dear friend and art teacher Patricia Lyon passed away recently. Just this morning I was thinking about Pat after discovering the handmade doll she had made for my mother. I found myself reflecting on Pat’s … [Read more...]
Even in Joy
Even in joy there is a shadow of sorrow once you have experienced great loss. This week that shadow hung over me as I prepared to depart the plane at SeaTac to visit my dad. I knew ahead of me in the airport was the spot I had stood when I first realized my mother was dying over four years ago. In January of 2011 I stood outside the gates at … [Read more...]
Seize this Mother’s Day
If your mother is still alive today, cherish her. If you are mad at her, forgive her. If her quirks annoy you, shake it off. If your mother is breathing today, seize the opportunity to hear her breathe in person or on the phone. If you have the gift of still having a living mother, don’t waste a moment of your shared life together. Don’t text your … [Read more...]
No More Second Chances
My three children and one young man are the only people who ever called me “Mom.” This young man struggled with making bad decisions. He always came for advice before and after he made a bad decision. Sometimes he followed my counsel, but mostly he did not. I loved him, so I would always speak the truth to him. Our long history taught him that I … [Read more...]
The Milestones of Birthdays
My mother was born on October 29, 1941 in Bismarck, North Dakota. Until today every time her birthdate rolled around I thought, “This was my mother’s birthday.” As if her not being alive today to celebrate her birthday took away from the fact that she was born on this very day 73 years ago. My mother is not turning 73 years-old today. She … [Read more...]
360 Degrees of Grief Book Release TODAY
SELAH PRESS RELEASES NEW ANTHOLOGY, 360 DEGREES OF GRIEF, ON MAY 19 Kayla Fioravanti's New Book Shares Stories from 64 Authors, Including Steve Green, Wayne Watson NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 1, 2014) - Selah Press announces the May 19 release of 360 Degrees of Grief: Reflections of Hope, Volume 1, a collection of first-person stories detailing … [Read more...]
Where Angels Used to Play in Remembrance
Where Angels Used to Play in remembrance of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings on December 14, 2012. Where Angels Used to Play written by Randy Davis and Paul Aldrich © Restless Road Music … [Read more...]
12 Lessons Grief Taught Me
The walk through grief is filled with milestones that are precious. You cannot sneak past grief in the night, run through it or sit still in one spot of grief. You must walk through it at grief’s pace. Grief is a passage, not place to wallow in, skip past, or tunnel under. If you don’t go through the grief it will fester and consume you in another … [Read more...]
The Freedom Found in Forgiveness
My mother would have turned 72 today. She consumed her 69 years of life with vitality and love. She loved her family, friends and strangers. An outing often ended with my mother bringing a stranger in need of a meal, companionship or encouragement home with her. Relationships with people, whether friend, family, foe or stranger were important to … [Read more...]
Never Forget
9/11/01 American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In all 2,977 victims died that day. My memories from that day are recorded … [Read more...]
