Many years ago when my family and I moved to Balboa Island, I had no idea how many "simple gifts" were awaiting us! These gifts are true to this very day. It really is a magical and enchanting place to live. As I took my morning walks in those early years, I was...

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." I am sure most of us have been the recipients of many kindnesses in one form or another during the course of our lives. The act of kindness touches the heart far greater than the size or its value. Many years...

"If we could see the world through the eyes of a child, we would see magic in everything."  I am grateful to see and feel that magic every day as I care for my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter! If she ever sees a tear slide down my cheek she gives me a hug and says,"Oh...

Dear Monday Moments Family, I have missed you, but I am back now to bring you more "moments" every Monday! This past weekend I spent a lot of time at the beach pondering many things in my heart. It never fails that when I go, the answers, the words and the feelings...

At this beautiful Christmas season, every once in a while you read something that really hits home. This is one of those..."Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he...

This most magical time of the year is a season we adore. Children, whose wide eyes are sparkling in the sweet anticipation and excitement of what Santa Claus will bring them! This is a child's purest way to believe. And, for many all over the world, to believe is a...

This time of Thanksgiving brings gratitude home. It is the golden thread that ties our hearts together and a time when our Heavenly Father will pour out even more blessings upon us. As we seek Him in prayer, miracles will come into our lives when we need them most....

At this season of giving and showing gratitude I found a quote that I feel describes all that is needed, quite perfectly.  "Use your voice for kindness, your ears for compassion, your hands for charity, your mind for truth, and your heart for love."  As I think of my...

As we each navigate a new day, it can take many helpings of faith, hope and love to see our way through. Each day can be as difficult as the next as we may face heartache, loss, sickness, broken trust and so many more misfortunes. When I wrote and then published my...

Many years ago I became the sole parent of my five children. After a busy week of school and sports for them and work for myself, I found my greatest peace was going for a walk on the beach, for a couple of hours every Saturday. As I walked on the soft sandy beach I...

At the time of this post being written, we have just said a very sad and tender goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II. Besides seventy years as reigning British monarch she leaves many pearls of wisdom for us to remember and live by. I loved many of them but this one in...

The first sentence in Chapter Ten of my book says, "We should all be grateful for those moments that keep us stepping higher and reaching for the best within ourselves." I have found that when I drink in everyday moments with lenses of gratitude often they will lead...

The late Helen Keller once so beautifully penned, "No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway to the human spirit."  The theme throughout my book, Monday Moments has a very optimistic spirit and I believe...

I love this quote that reads, "When life gives you Monday, dip it in glitter and sparkle all day!" I wish that for each of you today and in fact, all week! I also want you to know that whatever comes your way, you have what it takes to get through it. Life is not easy...

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." The late Helen Keller has left us so many pearls of wisdom and this one speaks gently to me as I know its truth. Over many years the ocean has never ceased to reach out to me with its many lessons. I am reminded...

HAPPY first day of beautiful August! This sweet magical month is summer's finale but also a gentle reminder that we should "always believe something wonderful is about to happen."  Let us capture all of her goodness and celebration from a month of many memories from...

Last week our family lost a very dear friend. He was a gentle giant in our eyes as he lifted and loved others every day of his life. For many years we were the grateful recipients of that love. One of the many beautiful memories from the funeral service and...

I came across a quote just recently that made me pause, "Don't let your ice cream melt while you are counting someone else's sprinkles." I was at the Fun Zone on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach just recently with my youngest granddaughter. It is a family...

On Sunday morning as I was sitting in church, I prayed I would be inspired by something in the sermon that we might all need to hear. And I was. I will try to do justice to the powerful words spoken and yet a part of our every day. Those words would be wisdom, hope...

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all those men and women who died in active military service. They would never come home. Many years ago my mother compiled a beautiful binder of her brother's letters from his time as an army pilot until the fateful day he was...