Being thankful, giving thanks for my life, is on my mind, of course, at this time of year. Memory serves up so many family traditions and happy experiences for me to revisit. Do you find memories of family traditions rising to the surface for you at this time of year? I remember fondly how my father always stuffed, cooked and served the family turkey. Mamie is a favorite … [Read more...] about Let Your Thanksgiving Memories Spark Stories of Loved Ones
Taking A Stand For Democracy
Editor's note: This post by Jane Knox was inadvertently not run. Congress shall make no law. . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ~ First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution When I first heard there was going to be a No Kings Rally held on … [Read more...] about Taking A Stand For Democracy
Honoring Gary––An Alternative to a Traditional Memorial Service
As you know, my brother, Gary passed away on January 4, 2025. Before he died, Gary expressed his strong feelings that he did not want a traditional funeral. He wasn’t religious, and he was not connected to a church. He wanted to be cremated. Gary wanted his ashes buried in the garden of the home where he lived for many years and where his son, Ryan, now lives. Gary’s planning … [Read more...] about Honoring Gary––An Alternative to a Traditional Memorial Service
My Brother’s Light
Many of you know I often participate in writing and storytelling workshops. Some people like horseback riding, others enjoy sewing. I enjoy writing. I am particularly interested in writing that will be passed down as family history. Recently, I took a course with Kelly DuMar on writing monologues for the stage. We were a small group of writers, some of us writing … [Read more...] about My Brother’s Light
I come from immigrants––do you?
Recently, a writing workshop I attended, prompted me to think about my grandmother, and to wonder about her legacy. I don’t mean money or possessions. Even though my paternal grandmother, Emily, died well before I was born, I have begun to recognize how her influence on my life has been long-lasting. Emily Ralston was an immigrant. She and my grandfather, her husband, … [Read more...] about I come from immigrants––do you?
Disguised Healing Angels
It is impossible to see the angel unless you first have a notion of it. ~ James Hillman I believe angels show up in our lives when we are in need. Two such disguised angels appeared in my life this week. One was masquerading as a smallish white dog with large brown spots and short legs. I had symptoms of an infection, so I had gone to Urgent Care. I stood in line to pick … [Read more...] about Disguised Healing Angels
The Life-Long Enchantment of Our Founding Stories
With cancer, a person begins to look at their life in a different way. I have been thinking about enchantment, and my future. I am inspired by the spirit of mystery and magic which is a definition of enchantment. I’m attracted to the philosophy that all forms of life, as well as the inanimate, have spirit. Even a rock, I like to think, has a spirit. I sometimes forget this. And … [Read more...] about The Life-Long Enchantment of Our Founding Stories
Kindness Makes A Place for Healing
As I walk into the Cancer Center for my daily treatments in West Harrison, I am immediately greeted by a large Welcome to Memorial Sloan Kettering sign. Then, I quickly encounter two more welcoming messages: “Kindness Matters,” and, underneath that, “This is a place for healing.” At Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK), I am discovering that these signs mean exactly what they say. … [Read more...] about Kindness Makes A Place for Healing
Unforgettable Birthday Parties
When I think of March, I think of windy weather, the Ides of March, St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of spring, and most of all, my birthday, March 11th. And when I think of my birthday, I think of birthday parties. And, birthday parties bring up all kinds of emotions. They can be exciting and celebratory. But even wonderful parties can sometimes be marred by haunting … [Read more...] about Unforgettable Birthday Parties
KNOWING
When someone needs help, most people want to reach out and offer assistance. This might be through actions, such as making a casserole or sending flowers. Others, like my mother, believe prayer makes a difference. When I was a child, every time an ambulance went by, my mother would say, “Janie, send a prayer for the person in the ambulance.” Prayer involves doing something … [Read more...] about KNOWING
Salutations, Friends, How Are You?
And then, just as Wilbur was settling down for his morning nap, he heard again the thin voice that had addressed him the night before. ‘Salutations!’ said the voice. Wilbur jumped to his feet. ‘Salu-what?’ he cried. --E.B. White, Charlotte's Web For years, the standard greeting and response we use in our culture has bothered me. The words go something like this: A. … [Read more...] about Salutations, Friends, How Are You?
So, you want something. . .
Positive or negative, our thoughts and words are powerful. What we say to ourselves, and others is potent. For instance, my mother faced difficult problems pertaining to the health challenges of two of her children. When she talked about the many crises that had to be dealt with, she didn’t complain. She would say, “I’m thinking positive.” Thinking and speaking positively about … [Read more...] about So, you want something. . .
The Enchantment of Asking for, Receiving, and Offering Help
Recently, a friend needed a ride. Her car was having mechanical problems that required repair. Some little critters had gotten into her engine and nibbled on wires. My friend has no family members living nearby. I was delighted to help. Later, she told me how hard it was for her to ask. For me, the opportunity to help was the high point of my day. I have been listening to … [Read more...] about The Enchantment of Asking for, Receiving, and Offering Help
Honoring An Era of Enchantment at Iradell
Have you ever longed to revisit a magical place from an earlier time? As a grown-up do you yearn to walk around, smell, touch and re-experience such an area with your adult senses: to reexperience the enchantment this place once offered you? I ached to walk back into the enchantment of the past. Recently, I visited such a place of cherished memories––a charming animal farm. … [Read more...] about Honoring An Era of Enchantment at Iradell
A New Year Fairytale – Part One
Once upon a time, several days before the brand-new year, a woman began a journey of several thousand miles across the country. Her destination was to experience a special New Year’s retreat. She was on a quest to create a vision for how to live her most powerful year yet. And to her surprise and delight, she was immediately invited by the hostess to move to a first-class seat. … [Read more...] about A New Year Fairytale – Part One
Letting Go Of Mistakes: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Last month I was embarrassed after sending my blog to all of you. I had made a mistake! I’m grateful to Jake, my nephew, who inserts and arranges the pictures inside the text. He then uploads the monthly blog. Jake always suggests I proofread the blog one more time before it goes out. I had looked at the text so many times, I barely scanned the blog and let it go. Ooops. A … [Read more...] about Letting Go Of Mistakes: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Johnny Appleseed Was The Kind of Litterbug I Want to Be
When I think of autumn, I think of apple picking. And when I think of apple picking, I think of the story of Johnny Appleseed. The story goes that during the 1800s Johnny trekked across Pennsylvania scattering apple seeds. He littered the land with seeds that grew into trees. When I was a child, I was enchanted by the abundance of seeds nature dropped for me to discover. … [Read more...] about Johnny Appleseed Was The Kind of Litterbug I Want to Be
A Lullaby for Crossing Over
by Jane Knox At some point in our lives, from birth to death, we all need to hear a lullaby, a special song that someone sings to us to let us know we are loved. A soothing, rhythmic song, like a lullaby, can help us transition from one state of consciousness to another. From the beginning of time mothers have engaged in the universal impulse to sing a lullaby to soothe … [Read more...] about A Lullaby for Crossing Over
Sharing Fireworks Under the Night Sky
When I think of the Fourth of July and my childhood, I think of fireworks. My maternal grandparents lived on the first floor of an apartment building high on a hill overlooking New York Bay on Staten Island. My mother’s youngest sister, Nadine, is only twenty months older than I am. I remember visiting one July when I was eight. We liked to play with the older children who … [Read more...] about Sharing Fireworks Under the Night Sky
Fathers
By Jane Knox June was the month we celebrate Father’s Day. The storyteller in me desires to honor Father’s Day with an exploration of a universal story. This is an opportunity for me to dive deeper into the meaning of the father figure, both universally and personally. This month, I’m reflecting on the archetypal father illustrated in The Complete Grimm’s Fairytales called … [Read more...] about Fathers