June 21, 2019 Sweat poured from my forehead as I shooed away mosquitos. Through the sticky humidity, a friend, native of the island, and I pressed on through the dusty dirt country roads in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. But what was also warm yet sweet was the hug and peck on the cheek as …
June 14, 2019 At the very same time when I turned 30 and my father 55, the retinal disease began to rob our eyesight. In a matter of eighteen months, our vision closed in completely, leaving us in darkness with no trace of shadows, color…only a dark gray nothing. My world crumbled… …as the black …
June 7, 2019 Sometime ago, a reader wrote: Dear Janet, I am so very grateful for having known about your site. Indeed, I would like to know what gives you confidence through each day. Thank you. –Rhoda My response: Dear Rhoda, Thanks for that interesting question. I’ve been asked all kinds of questions from How …
May 31, 2019 This beautiful truck won first prize at a local classic car show. Not just because of the impressive exterior, or the great paint job or even those snazzy wheels. It won because of the engine, its components, the way it was built, the clean look and its performance. The judges at the …
May 24, 2019 Are you celebrating Memorial Day? Or are you trying to remove the memory of the personal battles that you sometimes fight, but often lose? Not long ago, I sat at the gate, waiting to board the last leg of my trip home. I settled in, listening for the announcement to pre-board. But …
May 17, 2019 With paper towel in hand, Jack wiped the bowl of cereal his two-year-old son spilled on the table. “Stop it,” he screamed grabbing the small hand from splashing in the puddle of milk. “I don’t know if I can handle this.” His plans were never to be a single Dad, juggling work, …
May 10, 2019 Sometimes, we need a story to make us sigh with gladness. Here’s one for you. The invitation read: “You’re Invited to an afternoon tea to celebrate Janet’s Birthday.” My mom had artistically prepared that invitation for my tenth birthday celebration. Bursting with excitement, I raced down the narrow dirt streets of …
May 3, 2019 We all want to look our best. And we do our best to achieve it. And if you’re like me, you’ve tried various products, hoping that the promise on the bottle will prove true. The latest one I tried had this instruction: “The best time to apply skin care products is when …
April 26, 2019 A while back when I was writing novels, I was stuck, really stuck. In writing a story, I ran into a wall of nothing. My creative flair had reached a dead end. I tried to add spice to a scene I was crafting, but…had nothing but blank thoughts! The only thing to …
April 19, 2019 Self-pity haunted me at night when I first faced the anguish of my 19-year-old son Joe’s death. My world turned upside down with heartache. I sunk in desperation, wondering how I could ever face my tomorrows dragging the heavy chain of sorrow. Would I ever be able to laugh again? Would peace …