Who Are Your Influencers?
Several years ago, I was challenged to create a Wall of Influence – basically a list of people who influenced my life in a positive way. Who made me who I am? Who do I value and respect? Who do I want to emulate? Whose advice will I always treasure? Influence is defined – loosely – as the capacity of one person to produce effects in...
Live Today but Give Voice to the Past
Last week, I spoke to some awesome fellow writers at Heart of America Christian Writers Network in the Kansas City area, telling of my ghostwriting experiences and encouraging them to write what I call mini-memoirs. Two of the five books I’ve published in three years are ghostwritten memoirs: Harvest of Joy and Lost Child of Greece....
50-Year Friendships
Some friendships are meant to last forever. Ours is one, and I’m so thankful! I am blessed with many such friends and love each one – even those I don’t get to see very often – like Donna. But, what is it that makes a friendship lasting? Shared experiences? Mutual respect? Commonalities? Prayer support through decades...
Let it GO!
“Let minor differences and personal preferences, if there be such, go to the winds.” Abraham Lincoln 1 When Jim and I were young parents, we were advised to choose our battles wisely. In other words, don’t make a big deal out of something that isn’t a big deal. There will be REALLY big deals to tackle later. That was (and is) good advice....
Vietnam Revisited
In the wee hours of the morning many years ago, I found a website that would change my life! Thanks to my new home computer, the world wide web took me places I’d never been. Among many other things, I searched for records of my uncle, Jim, who was killed in Vietnam. I even left my name and email on an interactive site, asking any vet who...
Our Marathon Move
Life. It can be intense! When my 60-something husband and I (also 60-something) began planning for our next (unlikely) 60 years together, we had no idea how intense that journey would be, nor that it would involve a marathon move spanning nearly three years. It about did us in, but now that it’s behind us, I can finally recap what seemed...
Simply Reiminiscing…
A year ago, I was inundated (in a wonderful way) with pictures that were being taken 470 miles away. Photographs of Class of 1971 classmates from West High School in Iowa City, Iowa. Fifty years – OMGoodness. How can that be? Time certainly flies. I had planned to attend our 50th Reunion. I counted down the days long before I had a...
A Motherless Daughter
“Surgery isn’t an option,” the surgeon said with as much compassion as he could muster. “I’m sorry but what we’re facing are end-of-life issues.” His words sucked the air right out of the room leaving only silence punctuated by unexpected emotions. After a few more kind words, heard by no one, the surgeon left us to process the news. Doctors...
Welcome, I’m Elaine. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, a choreographer of words, a challenger of the status quo, an admirer of all things colorful, and a lover of life who finds great comfort and joy in knowing I’m completely adequate to do whatever it is God calls me to do!
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