On a department store rack years ago, there were five brightly colored ties —so bright and childish that many shoppers probably passed by them with laughter, and maybe even some with disgust. However, a grandmother and an aunt who both loved fabrics happened to be shopping that day in that store and had the thought that these unusual ties would be useful and meaningful one day. So right then, they purchased all five of them, and kept them safely hidden away in Virginia until

“Juli, are you sure you don’t want to wait until Chris gets here from the other hospital?” “No, my friend is here. She has cared for children with rare genetic disease. She is here with me. He is caring for his patients, so I will tell him everything later. Go ahead. What is the report?” And oh so slowly and so delicately, my favorite pediatric neurologist on the entire planet began to tell me that Robert’s seizures would continue…and…that the brain surgery had kept them away

I love foggy days. They have a mystery about them. They can feel cozy and warm. They are hot coffee and beautifully lit candle mornings for me. But they can also feel terrifying when you are walking or driving, and you can’t see clearly. On those days, you can look through a fogged up window and see the outside world a little veiled. And until you decide you want to wipe away the moisture on the window, it can be misty for quite a while. Fog can keep you safely cocooned or sh

I have dreamed of visiting Chicago for years. For some of you, maybe this is a trip you have taken often. For me, though, it was on my “Bucket List.” So, when Chris was able to take a few vacation days recently, off we went! It did not matter to me when we left or what we saw when we arrived. I just needed to see that beautiful city I have heard so much about. Let me tell you that I only need a great hotel and room service when we get away. Seriously. Everything else is a bon