Soon after I completed my social work master’s degree at the University of SC, I began an internship in one of South Carolina’s maximum-security prisons in Columbia.  I was so touched by the resilience of the imprisoned women who took part in my groups that my two-year plan extended to eight years before I moved…

After more than six months sequestered at home due to this ongoing pandemic, I might have organized my closets, our yard, and my stacks of books.  But on the contrary, I have been staying in and away from crowds almost every day, barely accomplishing anything beyond necessary chores. Recently however, I have become motivated and…

Here we are in the sixth month of a world-wide Pandemic.  It’s anyone’s guess when we will return to normal despite hopeful predictions.  In the meantime, poetry, one source of “medicine for the soul,” may be soothing as it offers you a chuckle or a calming release. This year and all next year, The Poetry…

Creating and sharing special food may be one of our oldest traditions.  Special tastes, smells and textures help calm, ground and center many of us, especially during stressful times. Soon after going into quarantine in March, I emailed book club friends and asked if any would like to share some favorite recipes.  It didn’t take…

My mailbox doesn’t have the mystery it did years ago.  Bills and generic advertising fill it instead of newsy notes and interesting exchanges.  But letter-writing enthusiast continue to write, and recipients still get excited when they receive letters addressed especially to them.    A letter expresses more than just words. You can’t hide from a…

A group of friends in Columbia were out walking recently, at least six feet apart, when one shared his dream from the previous night.  “Normally I do not remember my dreams upon waking, but twice recently I have dreamed that I tested positive for the virus.  They told me there was nothing they could do…

This year – 2020 – will be remembered in many ways by the pandemic affecting untold millions around the world as it continues to expand.  This pandemic has taken over every aspect of our lives requiring seclusion, if not total isolation, as we seek to remain healthy and safe.   Poetry can be a healing balm…

Columbia and the University of South Carolina lost two important members of their religious community who died recently within two weeks of each other – Dr. James Cutsinger, 66-year-old religious studies professor and scholar on February 19, 2020, and Father Marcin Zuhuta, 42-year-old Catholic pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, the Catholic student chapel on…

Recently I have been rereading Columbia native Dr. Charles S. Bryan’s book “For Goodness Sake: The Seven Basic Virtues” published in 2006 as his “Valentine” to the members of Trinity Episcopal Church.  Bryan also gave a copy to my husband soon after it was published.  The book’s very brief chapters, language, and easy explanations belie…

“It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy,” according to Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer Brother David Steindl-Rast, co-founder and inspiration for Gratefulness.org.   “Gratefulness can change our world in immensely important ways. If you’re grateful, you’re not fearful. If you’re not fearful, you’re not violent.  Grateful people are…