A Retirement Journey: Part 1 of 3
On his last day at the office, Daniel Mercer stood in the doorway of his office and looked at the nameplate on his door one last time. Daniel Mercer – Clinical Social Worker. For twenty-two years that nameplate meant something. It meant support for patients, appointments that filled calendars weeks in advance, and a steady…
A Tale of Hope: Part 4 of 4
The next couple weeks were more about the holidays and getting through things at work. She and Chad continued to talk, and he apologized for making her feel uncomfortable at the visit with his family. Kristi talked about how she felt that day, and Chad talked about his family dynamics. Chad told her that his…
Book Review: The 5 Love Languages
I have a new book review to share, and I am excited to talk about this one. I recently finished Gary Chapman’s book The 5 Love Languages; The Secret to Love That Lasts. It has been on my list to read for a while, so it was time to stop and take a look. The…
A Tale of Hope: Part 3 of 4
With the first meeting under their belts, Kristi and Chad continued to talk and even transitioned to talking by phone. They started texting often, checking in with each other and making plans to meet again. The next month flew by, in a flurry of work meetings and sharing more details about each of their lives.…
How to Reclaim Your Life: A Journey Towards Peace
Everyone stumbles in life. No matter how carefully we plan or how strongly we believe we are moving in the right direction, things change. Relationships shift, unexpected challenges appear, and sometimes the happiness we once felt seems distant or unreachable. At times we lose our sense of direction and begin to wonder how we ended…
A Tale of Hope: Part 2 of 4
The day of the meeting with Chad had arrived, and Kristi got ready. She checked in with Cindy and shared the details again. She made sure that her location was available on her phone, and Cindy could see where she was. She got into her car and headed to the restaurant. When she got to…
The Courage to be yourself
Being who you truly are takes courage. In a world of social media where people present only the good stuff or only what they want you to see, authenticity can feel risky. Some of us learn early on that it is safer to blend in, to soften our edges, or to hide the parts of…
A Tale of Hope: Part 1 of 4
Kristi sat down with her computer at the kitchen table. Lately she has been feeling loneliness deep inside that she couldn’t shake. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do about it, but she knew that she was tired of feeling alone. Her last relationship ended in a nightmare. She was glad that she ended…
Navigating Challenges in Long-Term Relationships
Whether you are seeking a long-term relationship or considering legal marriage, there are important truths to understand before making a commitment. Being in a relationship is not a fairy tale or a constant state of happiness. While relationships can be deeply fulfilling, they also come with challenges, conflict, and moments of discomfort. Sharing your life…
When Parents are broken: Part 5 of 5
Mara was asleep when she heard Noah crying out and rushed to his room. Noah had a nightmare, but Mara didn’t want to rush him back to bed like her mother did to her. She climbed into his bed, holding him tightly. His hair was damp with sweat and his eyes still caught somewhere between…
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