I returned to my newspaper job after my four-month sabbatical spent in Chicago. I didn't sleep very well last night, butterflies. But everyone was so gracious and welcoming. My computer fired right up. I started working on a story. It felt in some ways that…
At the end of the year, we take time to look back and remember the people who left this life. Each person leaves a memory upon our hearts, memories of sharing their gifts with courage and grace; these are some of the people who inspired…
I have been watching Oliver Stone's Showtime series Oliver Stone's Untold History of the United States. It's fascinating in ways, big and small. And here's a small thing I'm noticing. The men who ruled throughout the world, throughout the 20th century, -- Stalin, FDR, Winston…
My friend Chris, a woman I have known since we were both girls, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, and very soon had a double mastectomy and now, she is undergoing rather rigorous chemotherapy. Her beautiful, thick hair started falling out in clumps on…
The nativity scene offers us comfort at this time of year and a visual reminder of the Advent and Christmas seasons. While the nativity scene is a tradition, where did the tradition come from and what do the symbols mean? What is history and what…
Yesterday, I put some flowers on my father's grave in a Spokane cemetery. After, I took a walk in the lovely place. I noted at least a dozen graves where family members had decorated small Christmas trees or placed blown-up Santas or beautiful wreaths. It…
The nation and others around the world have responded to the anguishing pain following the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. In these dark days of grief and gun conversations and heartache, residents of Newtown have received an outpouring of love – in the form of donated food,…
So, the world didn't end. I wonder for the folks who really got into it in 2012, it was a way to focus depression, despair and suicidal ideation. I know for my sisters and me, it was an excuse yesterday to share some cocktails at…
In some of the Sandy Hook tragedy news coverage, you see men and women interviewed who have survived tragic deaths of their children through violence in a school shooting. You would never characterize these men and women as "getting over" the death of their children,…
The governor of Connecticut is calling for a moment of silence Friday at 9:30 Eastern time (6:30 a.m. in the Inland Northwest. He's also asking churches to ring their bells 26 times to honor the victims. Here's hoping we generate a huge response in both…
President Obama arrived in Newtown, Connecticut today to meet with families who lost their sons, daughters, wives, friends and with first responders. At a community vigil, he offered words, our words, of comfort and promise to move ahead to understand and act to address this…
We are living in the darkest days of the year leading up to winter solstice on Dec 21. Waking up to the dark and seeing it descend upon us so early in the afternoon seems the best response to yesterday's horrific slaughter of innocent children…
The day has been long: with horror out of Connecticut and our beloved President Obama weeping through his words. When will Americans be courageous enough to demand that we change our culture? When will we stand up and work together to change our desensitization to…
Mistakenly, I thought the Mayan end of the world date was yesterday, 12-12-12. Wouldn't that have been a sexier date than 12-21-12? Anyway, this means there will be a few more days of hype around the predicted end of the world. Dang it.
As we move into the almost third week of Advent, the days continue to get darker and longer. The third week of Advent is one that calls Christians to rejoice! The waiting is almost over. Thank God. After a day of mall violence and fiscal…
She almost died. This lovely child. But today she is cancer-free and her remission may have been helped by using a disabled form of the virus that causes AIDS.Science in the 21st Century. What next? Scientists continue to tinker and imagine and research and try,…
The mailboxes at Rush University Medical Center, where I spent the past 12 weeks as a chaplain intern, have been stripped of our names as we leave and a new group of interns prepare to begin their 12 weeks after the first of the new…
Day One: Licenses have been granted and rituals – large, small, formal, simple – are legalizing love that has been. Love for a few years as well as love that has been steadfast and true for decades. Take a look at one love story on…
Elizabeth McIntosh finally has her story published. Her reporter’s account of the Pearl Harbor attack was considered too graphic to print decades ago. Yesterday, the Washington Post printed her words. The account is graphic – and reminds us of the tragedy, the victims, and the…
Today was my "graduation" from the Rush University Medical Center chaplaincy internship program. The most fascinating three month experience of my life! To celebrate, we interns, along with our supervisor and supervisor in training, ate at a Chicago landmark, The Berghoff Restaurant in downtown Chicago…
As Becky wrote earlier this week, Advent is the season of hope, longing, surprise. And answering “yes!” That sneaky God speaks to us through prophets, unsuspecting. Enjoy a favorite read of mine this season…And keep your heart open to the prophets in your midst. (S-R…
A composer, pianist and jazz legend has died. Dave Brubeck died of heart failure and would have celebrated his 92nd birthday Thursday. He left us a remarkable legacy – all that jazz. He played for leaders – President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev - and was…
Advent is my favorite liturgical season, because of the promise it holds of Christmas. It's a season of watchful, contemplative waiting. At church Sunday in my "adopted" Chicago parish, Old. St. Patrick's, the church recited an Advent prayer written by the Bob Kolatorowicz of the…
When I traveled to Rome in 2005, I saw priests everywhere, working, studying or just visiting Rome. I commented that no wonder the Vatican isn't worried about the priest shortage. The pope and others just had to look out their windows and they saw priests…
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.
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