Life Lessons

  • Life Lessons

    Servant or Friend?

    “Did you hear the news? My friend asked. “Queen Elizabeth of England died!” I rushed to the TV and joined millions around the world, to watch news updates, commentaries, and documentaries about Her Majesty’s life. It was late in the day when a documentary about the Queen’s personal life caught my attention. It delved into a day in the life of the Queen, surrounded by many servants, referred to as “Lady-in-waiting.” A servant is a person who performs duties for others, a personal attendant, a person employed in the service of a government, or a devoted and helpful follower or supporter (New Oxford American Dictionary). The term usually implies performing…

  • Life Lessons

    Lessons from a Pie

    “My tummy hurts!” my little niece cried as she threw herself on the couch. “I wonder why you didn’t eat your dinner?” her mom asked, picking up the empty pie dish from the floor. “Turkey and veggies are not as good as dessert!” The adults in the room struggled to keep a straight face. “Honey, not everything we eat, or drink is good for us. Some foods make us strong, and some can make us weak or sick, especially if we eat too much of it!” She rubbed her tummy and dried her tears. “I know how she feels,” I said, holding my own stomach. “I know nobody wants to…

  • Life Lessons

    The Day My Thanksgiving Failed

    “Can’t we try new recipes this Thanksgiving please!” my daughter asked. “We always eat the same dishes.” “I know,” I said. “I have a bunch of new recipes that look delicious, but I end up cooking our family traditional ones. I guess it makes me feel closer to those that’re so far away. “Do you remember our first Thanksgiving in this town?” I asked. “Not really,” she said. “Just that we were all alone. What happened?” Well, this is the story of our first Thanksgiving here…                                                …

  • Life Lessons

    The Day I wished I was Invisible

    I’d never seen such a thing. A thick white snowy blanket enveloped the city. The temperature was so low that Lake Michigan had frozen over and appeared to rise above the ground. “Please come with me,” he pleaded. “This is a decision we’re both making!” “But the news says people should not leave their homes unless it’s totally necessary and you know how much I hate the cold!” I responded. My husband had just graduated from medical school and training for a specialty was the next step, which also meant we had to move far away from our country and our families. The third of several interviews for medical residency…

  • Life Lessons

    What Channel are you Listening to?

    “Please come home! A tornado is coming through our county!” I yelled at my husband over the phone. We had recently moved to an area where tornadoes were prevalent, from a country where they’re unheard of, so my anxiety level rose to the max. “Who told you that?” he responded. “I heard it on the radio just now. What do I do? Where do I go? We don’t have a basement?” “Calm down,” he said. “You’re listening to the wrong channel! It’s the same name, but they’re talking about another state!” All the fear, anxiety and worry melted off my body. “You can’t believe everything you hear,” he added. “Make…