Category: I’m Grateful
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Life|Calmness by the Lake: Fall’s Gentle Arrival
Calmness by the Lake: Fall’s Gentle Arrival 🌻 Seasoned Souls Reflections This morning, I found myself by Lake Washington, coffee in hand, watching the season quietly shift. The sky carried both softness and strength — clouds drifting across blue, sunlight pressing through, and the calm water holding it all in reflection. There was a stillness…
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Life|65|Honoring Myself Without Guilt
🌙 Evening Reflection Honoring Myself Without Guilt These past three days of self-care—resting, hydrating, and even taking a bath—have reminded me of something important: I don’t have to feel guilty about calling off work when I’m not well. After recent work challenges, my commitment in heart has shifted. But I remain dependable and responsible as…
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Life|65|My Work Senior Sister|Remembering Sheryl
Remembering Sheryl 🌻 The first time I met Sheryl was during my in-person meeting at Swedish. She greeted me with a warm smile, a raspy voice, and an energy that immediately felt like home. Later, I’d learn she was a smoker—but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that I had found another seasoned soul to…
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Life|Kindness|The Power of Appreciation
The Power of Appreciation 🌻 In the middle of our busy, challenging days, there’s one thing that can transform how we feel and how others feel about us: acknowledgment. Appreciation goes a long way in every relationship. At Work: Coworkers who step in to help with a project, cover a patient, or simply smile as…
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Life|65|Thank You, Mommy and Daddy
Thank You, Mommy and Daddy 🌻 As I continue my journey, I find myself finally understanding you both more deeply. Mommy — you were quiet, steady, and strong. You poured yourself into being a wife and mother, creating a home filled with peace and order. You protected our space from chaos, and in doing so,…
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Life|65|A Perfect Saturday Wake-Up
A Perfect Saturday Wake-Up There’s something about Saturday mornings that invites us to pause and breathe a little deeper. Life moves at a slower rhythm, and if we’re lucky, we get to notice the small blessings that warm our hearts. 🐈⬛ This morning, I woke up and opened my eyes to the sweetest sight —…
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Life|Kindness|Kindness Costs You Nothing
Kindness Costs You Nothing Kindness is free, yet its value is beyond measure. It doesn’t take much to smile, to reassure, to share a joke, or to offer comfort—but those small acts ripple in powerful ways. Today, I was reminded again and again that kindness is all around us, if we choose to notice it.…
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Life|65|The Koi
Learning From the Koi 🐟 As I grow older, I find myself craving a deeper connection to my Japanese heritage. My roots are part Japanese and part German, but there’s something about the traditions and symbols of Japan that call to me in a special way. One symbol that has captured my attention recently is…

