"He who conceals his disease, cannot expect to be cured," says the Ethiopian proverb. Former first lady Betty Ford died today. She will be remembered as a woman who did not conceal her disease - and consequently helped others to not conceal theirs, seeking to…
Seven years ago this week I started treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Rebecca's post "Say it now" is a reminder for all of us - not just at retirement parties, or times of illness, but in the moments, as we experience those feelings - of…
As American college students in Florence, Italy, we walked the city often – exploring, meandering, discovering new places, discovering who we were as 20-year-olds. One lovely autumn day David and I struck up a conversation with an elderly American gentleman who was sitting on a…
Princess Diana would have turned 50 this month. Newsweek published a story by Tina Brown speculating on Diana's life in 2011, had she lived. She was a young, unsuspecting bride, when she married Charles in 1981. And for all the royal pageantry, her life was…
I can't seem to forget about Frances Swan, the 106-year-old woman discovered by Stevens County sheriff's deputies last month. She was hungry and neglected by her "caregiver." She asked for food and wanted to be taken to a hospital where people would feed her and…
In the decades that I have worked in healthcare, there has been a hit parade of buzz words and phrases: “paradigm shift,” “at-the-end-of-the-day,” “thrown under the bus,”“low-hanging fruit” and…”are we complete?” That last one was from a consultant who brought his own hanger to meetings…
Lake Washington Technical College offers a unique program for people looking for work outside the box: funeral service education. This program is the first one of its kind in Washington state. Seven people graduated last week with nine more scheduled to finish their program in…
This week we look forward to Father's Day - next Sunday. The commercials are filled with images of gleeful children scurrying towards dad with Hallmark cards in hand. Many people do not have the dad of television commercials; some people may not even know their…
As a left-hander, I was often scolded by my elementary school teachers to hold my hand so that my cursive letters would slant correctly. Each report card came home with "N" for my handwriting grade (N= Needs Improvement). For many of today's elementary school students,…
I have attended three funerals in two weeks: a 20-something, a 30-something – both died unexpectedly – and a 60-something who had a year to live with a cancer diagnosis. And while the 60-something had time to plan, she did not include some important details.…
Did you ever wonder what the connection is between poppies and Memorial Day? Read on... In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the…
When her marriage ended, writer Laura Fraser went to Italy and met an older Frenchman, whom she writes about in her memoir, "An Italian Affair." He is married, she is seeking. They make love, dine sumptuously, and explore new places as well as each other.…
I have attended two funerals and one bed-side vigil in the last week. These experiences offer time to reflect on what is important in life as well as how we nurture our own spirituality. Travel writer, Rick Steves, recently interviewed by U.S. Catholic, offers information…
The end of the world, predicted by preacher Harold Camping, must be set for another day: we're still here. But we had fun with the pretend possibilities! The Baltimore Sun published a Q and A with must I return my library books or will I…
Update: Harmon Killebrew died this morning at age 74. Here's Catherine's post from Sunday, with childhood photo of Catherine (with glasses holding puppy), her two sisters and the Killebrews, Elaine and Harmon. Harmon is heading for home Harmon Killebrew - Baseball Hall of Famer with…
Water, water everywhere! Rebecca's post reminds me of a story from our family history. In 1948 my great aunt and uncle (yes, they really were great!) lived in Vanport City, Oregon, a city quickly constructed in 1943 to house the workers at the wartime Kaiser…
Today Sonny and Cher's daughter comes back to the world as their son. After decades of struggle to match his gender identity with his physical body, Chaz speaks about the painful struggle and what it took to align his self-understanding with his body. The book…
Mother's Day brings feelings of gratitude for the mom we have and what she has brought to our life. Perhaps. For some people, the day stirs up grief for the mother who has died, grief for the kind of mom we never had, or grief…
Thank you, Mr. President Thank you, Mr. President for not releasing the photos of Osama bin Laden’s body. We do not need the evidence. See story. We trust that the months of planning, the built-to-scale model of the compound, the drills, the intelligence data and…
The world watched as Kate Middleton wed Prince William on Friday. While the pageantry was magnificent, all I could think of was Princess Diana. How tragic not to be present at such a transcendent moment in your child's life. Will was 15-years-old when his "mum"…
Gethsemane The grass never sleeps. Or the roses. Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning. Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept. The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet, and it sings, have you noticed, with…
Today, Holy Thursday, we observe the Last Supper, the meal Jesus shared with his friends. He broke the bread and shared it. Scripture reminds us that we will "find Him in the breaking of the bread." My most profound experience of the risen Christ in…
To hell - or not? The spiritual anxiety that Rebecca discusses is often present for a person who is dying. The question is an object lesson for all people to think about our world view now and how we understand God, forgiveness among ourselves and…
The world's oldest man died last week. At 114-years-old, Walter Breuning left this world, but offers a legacy of wisdom: embrace change - "all change is good," eat only two meals each day because "that's all you need," Breuning claimed. He told people to "work…
I took our dog to the dog wash today, a place where master and canine get soaking wet. My 95-pound German Shepherd, Bella, protested wildly through the whole watery struggle. She is 8-years-old and was abandoned in the woods. We met her at the animal…
Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.
