Tougher than public speaking: Not taking the opportunity
“A gentleman – and a gentle man. “A gentle man. He never drank a beer and never touched a cigarette, in his entire life. He was proud of that. He rarely swore and I remember only a few times when I was...
View ArticleCelebrating new forever families!
We are delighted to share this question-and-answer blog post with Diakon Adoption & Foster Care Case Manager Crystal Wanamaker about the recent adoptions of a large sibling group: When did you meet...
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Loving our neighbors… overseas
Diakon maintains the Love of The Neighbor fund, which provides additional paid “vacation” for staff members, who apply to the fund to help cover their service-related activities. The fund is one more...
View ArticleThe “do’s and don’ts” of design
I was recently at a dinner party and the topics of gardening and native plants came up. I mentioned the Diakon Wilderness Greenhouse and how the greenhouse and native plant nursery there support a good...
View ArticleHelp stop bullying
I was bullied in elementary school. For some reason, in the area in which I grew up, political parties were a “big deal,” and my parents were members of the “wrong” party. I can recall to this day...
View ArticleTrue dancing of stars ….
A little more than a year ago, All Saints Lutheran Church in northeast Baltimore city suffered a catastrophic fire. Fortunately, no one was injured. As part of the recovery effort, Diakon Kathryn’s...
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Connections last … even halfway round the world
When he was just slightly more than 4 months old, my son, Carson Riche, left his birth country of Korea and his foster parents there to begin life anew with us—his adoptive family in the United States....
View ArticleHow to help save a life
At 14, a boy, so distressed by incessant bullying, took his own life. He left a note for his family and friends, reminding people how important it is to reach beyond labeling and intolerance. At 14, a...
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Mom on the run
At the age of 9, my daughter was beautiful and bubbly, intelligent and funny. Always tall for her age, she possessed a body built for strength and she was using that strength to become a decent...
View ArticleThe game of life…
I love Black Friday shopping. The crowds don’t bother me and as my children get older the more expensive the list of requested gifts gets. Buying stuffed animals and Barbie dolls won’t suffice anymore,...
View ArticleStress management for caregivers during the holidays
Oh no … it’s “the Holidays” already …. As I reflect on what the holidays mean to me, I dig deep into my heart and find peace and serenity and a sense of joy and family—and then the world and life take...
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Christmas in October
Like so many, I have difficulty getting into the “Christmas Spirit” each year, despite the holiday music that seems to start playing on the radio and in the stores even before Thanksgiving has arrived....
View ArticleHealing through yoga
The client called to report that she had had a stroke. Further, she told us that she believed that if it had not been for the skills she had learned in my Trauma-Sensitive Yoga group, she might not...
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Annie paws-es to provide “therapy”
Various research supports the therapeutic benefits of petting cats and dogs. Studies have shown, for example, that interaction with animals can decrease blood pressure, alleviate depression and reduce...
View Article‘Snow’ many opportunities to help others
My 14-year-old daughter randomly shared this thought with me while we were driving last night…. Mom, isn’t it amazing how one tiny snowflake that falls from the sky joins with all the others and...
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Seniors sharing compassion and creating connections
Even in retirement many people remain active in their communities, especially as volunteers. Our Diakon Senior Living Services campuses are home to many of these caring individuals. Two Twining Village...
View ArticleVeterans specialist finds helping vets not only rewarding, but also a duty
The situation was somewhat unusual. The woman had been married to a veteran who had died on active duty—in 1948! She had been drawing a veterans benefit called DIC after he passed away, but then...
View ArticleReaching rural communities a prime goal of PrimeTime Health
For older adults who live in rural areas—such as Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and who prefer not to venture far from home, PrimeTime Health offers classes in a number of community settings,...
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Helping to make a hard day a little more “bear”able
A few months ago, I brought up the idea to my children to raise enough money for each of us to donate a filled duffel bag to a child in foster care. You see, most of the children who have come to our...
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The girl who liked “hillbilly” music
Diakon staff member Anita Bussard, an administrative assistant on the Robinwood Campus of Diakon Senior Living – Hagerstown, supports the organization in a number of ways—including arranging for...
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