Category Archives: family

Sibling Love

Posted on May 14, 2022 by thisihumblyspeak

I grew up the middle child among three, between a sister and a brother with three years spanning between us. Growing up with siblings profoundly altered my childhood — and everything that followed. Sister and brother were my first playmates … Continue reading →

Posted in family, Love, siblings | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

To Daughter on her Birthday

Posted on August 27, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

Before you were born, I thought I chose you. When you took your first breath, I thought I made you. As you skipped, climbed and jumped, I thought I kept an eye on you. Over the years, I thought I … Continue reading →

Posted in family, life, Love, mother daughter, parent | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

I Will Not Complain

Posted on May 17, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

While I’d like to think that I’m not much of a complainer, I’ve come to realize that complaining is something we all do without even recognizing it. To set the record straight, I am not a chronic complainer. Sure, here … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, family, God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Fear and Hope

Posted on March 17, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

This past week has definitely been painful and upending; a week of learning and adaptation in our lives. Our humanity has been tested, angered, loosened and tightened. We have felt our world of certainties, our ease, freedoms and entitlement slowly … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, family, gratitude, humanity, life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Thread of Permanence…Love

Posted on February 1, 2020 by thisihumblyspeak

Celebrity deaths and the grief that accompanies them prompt the collective question about the purpose of life. We start to think, “What is a life well lived? What imprint are we leaving on the world? What do we fear most … Continue reading →

Posted in family, friend, legacy, life, Love | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Tug at my Heartstrings

Posted on August 18, 2019 by thisihumblyspeak

This past month has been one where things on my mind truly hit my heart with a new depth of understanding.  I feel the pull on my heartstrings, a tug-of-war between letting go and holding on, which is familiar to … Continue reading →

Posted in family, life, Love, prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Tuesday Nights With Nane

Posted on May 11, 2019 by thisihumblyspeak

There are women in my life who are critically important to me in my circle of family, relatives, friends and co-workers. They range in age from teens to mid nineties. They are daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, oldest friend, newest friend, … Continue reading →

Posted in family, gifts, kindness, women | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Family, A Heritage of Stories

Posted on November 22, 2018 by thisihumblyspeak

There is no substitute for family. Family is those with whom I grew up and created a bond from my beginning years. Family is those whom I talk to or reminisce about in my adult years. It is those whom … Continue reading →

Posted in family, friend, gratitude, life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Measure of a Man

Posted on June 17, 2018 by thisihumblyspeak

To fathers who love, who pray, who shed a tear As they lay down their lives, in the big ways And sometimes the harder small ways, for our families At home, in our communities and across borders— I salute you. … Continue reading →

Posted in family, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Your Roots, Your Backbone

Posted on February 9, 2018 by thisihumblyspeak

Last week I had the honor of addressing the 2018 Winter Graduates of University of La Verne College of Arts and Sciences. Here is the speech. Traditionally commencement speeches contain life advice, words of wisdom, ideas on how to be … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, family, humanity, kindness, life | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments