Let’s Choose Kindness

Let’s Choose Kindness

Twice a year I travel to Northern California for business, and I always take the train.  I love the train. I love that I can have a workspace and choose to work or not. I love to look out the window. I love that I can bring my own food or take advantage of the Café...
Arby Stayed

Arby Stayed

We just had to put one of our rescue cats down.  She came to us after the passing of my mother’s twin sister, Jean.  No one even knew that Aunt Jean had a cat until the family gathered to clean out her rental home.  Half starved, the solid gray feline was so small, so...
Not A Box of Ashes

Not A Box of Ashes

Sometimes, my heart gets in the way of my job as a funeral professional. And that’s okay. I’ve heard people say, “You shouldn’t get attached to the families you serve because you’ll burn out.” Maybe so, but I’d rather burn out than not be real. I have to be true to...
No Dirt on My Casket

No Dirt on My Casket

She had spent her life helping others.  She welcomed all as family and friends and was a spiritual mentor to many.  Even when life threw at her what most of us would cry was unfair, she continued to praise her heavenly Father, without question. I spoke with her...
Shine On

Shine On

Not everyone is a singer.  You only have to watch the current bevy of musical television shows to know that.  But each of those contestants has a desire to express what is in their hearts, in their very souls.  They practice.  They save their money and travel long...
Umbrellas and People

Umbrellas and People

I stood in the cold drizzle of the morning. As I opened the doors of the church for those coming to the funeral of their friend, I noticed the umbrellas. Some were small, some “normal” sized and some were large. There were colors; red, blue, green; flowers, polka...