It's the unofficial start of summer, and the timing is PERFECT. Have you felt the relief of even small amounts of normalcy?

I’ve been peopling this week. Yes, actually out among people doing some fun, what feels like normal, things without a mask. I’m guessing that whether you’ve been out and about all along or you’re just starting to emerge, that you’re making a few of the same discoveries I am after these long 14 months.

I have a friend who wherever she goes, she shines a light on people and makes them feel loved. I once asked her what her secret was – how was she able to do this so easily? Her answer was simple, “years of work.”

One of the things I’ve learned in my almost 49 years is that anything that looks effortless takes years of work.

In my office, I have a sign that my mom gave me. It says:

HERE’S TO STRONG WOMEN, MAY WE KNOW THEM, MAY WE BE THEM, MAY WE RAISE THEM

My mom is certainly a strong woman. I can look to her life and point to many instances of COURAGE. Plus, she raised two hard-working, hard-caring, ultra-productive people (if I do say so myself) while making her way in the world on her own terms.

Twelve years ago this week we unexpectedly lost my Dad. If you’ve lost someone you love, I don’t have to tell you that these kinds of anniversaries come with emotions. Sometimes you just so badly want them here physically - to see a kid walk across a graduation stage, to hear their voice, to give a hug.

Waking up in the middle of the night with 47 bouncy balls zinging around in your brain is the worst, isn’t it?

You open your eyes and realize that while you were gently sleeping, your brain was gearing up to solve all of your problems (and the world’s) at 3:07 AM.

How good are you at treating yourself? It can be hard to do something just for you – whether it’s finding the time to take a walk, buying an expensive pair of shoes (more on that in good thing #1), or watching that movie that’s been on your radar.

Last week I misplaced my wedding rings and the 12+ hours it took to find them were NOT FUN. A big thank you to daughter Carli who found them in the inner workings of our reclining chairs in the basement (which Brian and I had both looked through earlier in the day with no success).

Happy Easter weekend! This seems to be a great weekend to put aside wants and revel in haves. What do you already have that you can intentionally appreciate?

The other day I ran to catch an elevator and then paused before stepping in and said to the man inside, “Do you mind if I get in with you?” “Sure,” he said putting an arm out to keep the door from closing, and then he looked me eye to eye and mask to mask and said, “I’m vaccinated.”

This week it rained – a wet, cold, bone-chilling rain. And while the rain isn’t always great, it was a nice opportunity to create a cozy atmosphere throughout the day.

I lit a candle while I worked, and you should have seen how proud I was of myself. It reminded me that it doesn’t take much to make me feel like I’m taking care of myself.

Listen in as I talk with Lorri Carey, the host of I’m Dying to Tell You, about how we will reclaim our Mojo in 2021. After a year of uncertainty and broken expectations in 2020, Lorri and I make a list of things we want to leave in the past, as well as a list of things we want to bring into the new year. I learned many valuable lessons last year, most notably the value of letting certain things go.