2026-06-22
Simple Acts, Meaningful Moments
Well. The coffee was lukewarm, as it always seemed to be in the mornings now. I stirred it slowly, watching the grounds settle, a small, deliberate act that ...
Gloria Hayes
Retired after 31 years teaching third grade. Now I go to my grandchildren — New York, Raleigh, Florida. Jerry holds down the fort. I find the food bank in every city. This is not slowing down.
2026-06-22
A Quiet Reflection on Fatherhood’s Measure
Well. It was Monday, and the rain outside wasn’t doing anything to soothe the quiet in the kitchen. I’d been staring at this worn linoleum for a good half ho...
2026-06-20
Quiet Shifts, Unexpected Grace
The silence of Saturday mornings used to be a comfort, you know? Now… well, now it feels like a question mark hanging over everything. It’s been three months...
2026-06-20
Chaos Anxiety: Finding Your Control
In my most recent Psychology Today blog post I wrote about the harmful effects of people becoming used to bad things and worsening life situations. This post...
2026-06-20
Empty Cups: The Weight of Perfect Parenting
The Weight of Empty Cups: A Teacher's Perspective on Parenting As a retired teacher, I've had the privilege of working with students and their families for m...
2026-06-19
Presence is the Gift We Give Them
When My Grandchildren Need Me Most -------------------------------------------------------- As I sit here on my porch, watching the sunset with a warm cup of...
2026-06-19
Finding Joy in Quiet Moments
The quiet of a Friday afternoon settles over my kitchen, thick with the scent of chamomile tea and lingering coffee. It’s been three months since Jerry retir...
2026-06-17
Grayness Effect
The air always felt heavier after he spoke. Not unkindly, not aggressively— just… dense. A sort of grayness that settled around you like a damp wool blanket,...
2026-06-17
Simple Moments
The afternoon light spills through the kitchen window, painting stripes across the worn linoleum. It’s Wednesday, and the silence is a comfortable thing thes...
2026-06-16
Finding Peace Within The Storm
The rain’s always been my comfort, you know? Not a dramatic, thunderous kind of rain, but a gentle one – soft enough to remind you that everything will event...
2026-06-16
Seeing Beyond First Impressions: A Guide
Sometimes, you find yourself standing at a crossroads, not of physical roads, but of hearts and intentions. I’ve learned, over many years – truly *learned* –...
2026-06-16
Small Ripples, Deep Heart Reflections
It’s funny, isn’t it? How a simple disagreement – over who left the milk out, really – can feel like the end of the world. Jerry always said I worried too mu...