"It wore a crown of glory..." I looked out the window, stunned.  Just a few days before, on a crisp late fall morning, the maple tree in my garden bed was abloom with the bountiful leaves that had turned to a vibrant shade of red. Now, a pile of curling and dying leaves carpeted my yard.   “How had that happened so fast?” I wondered.   Just a handful of leaves still clung tightly to the maple tree as a reminder that fall and the onset of winter were claiming the remnants of t

"Embrace each day as a gift..." As the new year unfolds and just over a week into the start of 2026, many people seek to make resolutions and set new goals, always striving for change. It is indeed a good time to reflect on the past year and be motivated for new endeavors or changes you desire, but oftentimes these resolutions fail.   Setting goals in and of themselves can be daunting and even self-defeating. How many people vow to diet and get in shape only to see that disci

"Christmas is all about the gift..." Every year, as the wonder of Christmas rolls around, I’m delighted with all the festivities and celebrations. One of my greatest joys during this time of year is giving and receiving gifts with family members, loved ones, and friends.   I recall the magic of Christmas morning as a young child. Descending the stairs, I would slowly take in the wonder of the colorful wrapped gifts that had suddenly appeared under the Christmas tree, like the