Monday Musings 8-24-20

Many of you know that my career prior to writing full time was in education. I was the Admissions Director and Latin teacher at the independent school where my children attended from Early Childhood through Grade 8. It was an accidental career. I’d planned on eventually finishing medical school, but when I found this school for my children, my own path took a detour.

My husband and I truly believe sending our kids to Meadowbrook was one of the single best decisions we ever made as parents. In addition to their stellar education, it created a lifelong community for them, and also for us as young parents and for me as a young professional.

Two years ago, the school building burned to the ground after being struck by lightening. It was the perfect storm of events - middle of the night storm with no one to witness, and several lightening strikes which started a smoldering blaze in the roof and fried the alarm system. It was a devastating moment in our school’s history, but one which proved to me once again just how incredible our faculty, staff, and community truly is.

Today, I stood with my former colleagues in my role as Board President to ‘bless’ the new building. In the midst of a global pandemic, I am continually inspired by the commitment this group has to the children and to the mission of the school. This place, these people, and the work we do fills me with hope, and I am honored to still be part of it.

A vision without a task is a dream,
A task without a vision is drudgery,
But a task with a vision can change the world.

Monday Musings 4-6-20

I think a lot about what might be different when we emerge from our forced isolation. I fear many things will be lost, and precious lives top that list. But I also hope some things will be changed for the better. I hope we’ll emerge more patient, more appreciative of the small things, more focused on what really matters. I hope we’ll make choices thoughtfully, and consider how our choices impact those around us. I hope we’ll help support the most vulnerable members of our community. I hope we’ll take better care of our environment. I hope we’ll continue to live simply. I hope we’ll learn to better recognize the difference between our needs and our wants. And, I hope we’ll stand outside in the sun and realize that every day is a gift.

“The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.” - Joseph B. Wirthlin

On another note, my alter-ego, Maggie Clare, has a book coming out tomorrow! Sing for Me is the first book in a romantic suspense series I’m publishing under a pen name. If you need a temporary escape, follow the link and have a read! Sing for Me by Maggie Clare

If the romance genre isn’t your jam, no worries. I’m hard at work on a dark urban fantasy featuring a female assassin. I’ll keep you updated on my progress. Stay safe and healthy.