Crinkly Paper and Quiet Presence
The second she said, “I’m sitting in the doctor’s office, on the crinkly paper,” it was like my brain stopped reading the rest of her message. Instantly, I was transported back to my moment—sitting in that same sterile space, not in my own familiar clothes, but in a...
My Social Security Story
My name is Olivia, and on November 30, 2020, at 27 years old, I was diagnosed with HER2+ stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) with bone metastasis—just after having my baby boy. Soon after starting treatment, I learned that IBC qualifies for Social Security...
Finding Meaning in Hospitality: Reflections from a Retreat Talk
(Terry Arnold, Sunday, January 19, 2025) Happy Sunday, everyone! I’d like to share an incredible experience I had recently that was both exciting and meaningful. It all began back in October when I gave a series of talks for a group called Cross Creek West, the same...
Your voice is crucial.
I receive messages like this every single day, and it breaks my heart. Often, we—along with well-meaning doctors—search for reasonable explanations for why a breast is swollen, even if our intentions aren’t harmful. For cat owners, it’s not uncommon to get scratched....