Be available for your children • Notice times when your kids are most likely to talk–for example, at bedtime, before dinner, in the car–and be available. • Start the conversation; it lets your kids know you care about what’s happening in their lives. • Find time each week for a … Read More
Appreciating Our Children As Adults
As of now all of my children are adults. I’ve come to learn and appreciate them for their wisdom and understanding at what seems to me to be young ages. I say young only because of the number of years between us. To see them maturing into the persons they … Read More
Words Have Meaning
Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Really? How about “Actions speak louder than words.” I suppose both thoughts have merit. However, our words and ways we use them can have a profound effect on those around us. The words we use with our loved … Read More
The Season of Letting Go
I have lived amongst dogwood trees for most of my adult life, but am continually astounded at the cycle of life that takes place each year. It is particularly evident in the autumn when the leaves of the dogwood begin turning a somewhat speckled reddish brown. (With over 60 varieties … Read More
In Laughter We Carried More
This is a series of blogs that Dr. Dickinson wrote after returning from a recent trip to Africa. A few reflections, a few lessons learned. Enjoy the journey. Stories from Africa: Chapter 5 In laughter We Carried More In looking back on the trip I noticed that we carried … Read More
Learning from Community
This is a series of blogs that Dr. Dickinson wrote after returning from a recent trip to Africa. A few reflections, a few lessons learned. Enjoy the journey. Stories from Africa: Chapter 4 Learning From Community After experiencing Kibera (or a slum in any location) it would be easy to … Read More
Losing Someone before Losing Them
Due to advancements in science and medicine people are growing older at a much larger rate than ever before. However, along with the aging process comes the possibility of dementia illness leading to Alzheimer disease. If you’ve ever had a loved one afflicted with it you may understand how difficult … Read More
Life in the Ivy Patch
I have (reluctantly) been doing yard work. There is one section that is overgrown with ivy (English, not poison) and has been overgrown with for so long now that I am uncertain if there ever was a yard there. (I have a faint memory of a yard.) I have learned … Read More
Sexual addiction and co-dependency
Because of the nature of sexual addiction, the impact on the partners is often deeply felt. There are many co-dependent features seen in treating partners of chemical addicts as there are in treating sex addicts. Codependency refers to a relationship in which one partner is psychologically attached in an unhealthy … Read More
Clear Understanding
The other evening I had the occasion to babysit my grandchildren. Things were going very well until my two and a half year old granddaughter decided she would test her grandpa. She had been playing with some toys and left them scattered around the living room. That was not a … Read More