“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” –John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton When I was a swimmer for the University of Wisconsin Women’s Swim Team, we had t-shirts printed one year for the Big Ten Championships that read “Absolute Power.” The back of the t-shirt featured an image…
My day began when I received an unexpected email that immediately brought a smile to my face. Amidst the spam and advertising emails that had arrived overnight, my inbox also included an email from Ms. M., our family’s adopted soldier who is serving overseas. We found Ms. M. through an…
As the mother of a 5-year-old boy, I think that I can safely say that Star Wars has overtaken my life. Battle sequences are acted out; masses of Star Wars books come home from the library after each visit; and tiny Chewbacca, C-3PO, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Storm Trooper figurines can be…
Name-calling and off-color humor seems to be the gaffe du jour. Amidst racist jokes and crudely sexist remarks, it seems that many in this country could use a lesson in civility, respect, and accountability these days. I am sure that we have all by now heard of the sexist and…
We all like to think that we are hospitable individuals, inviting friends and families into our homes, serving meals, and entertaining our neighbors with dinner parties. But are we truly living hospitable lives? Webster’s Dictionary defines hospitality as the generous and cordial reception or welcome of guests, or an offer…
This weekend I spent time speaking and catching up with friends. Sat on their amish porch swing I was thinking back on an enjoyable evening spent at a dinner party with new friends this weekend, I thought back to an old saying about friends – one being silver and the…