Shoshana's Garden

I get it - the title isn't the most exciting. No one wants to feel guilt. No one wants to have that pain in their mind and heart. And yet, it happens. Certain pieces of my life lately have caused me to struggle with guilt. I don't plan to spill my guts and say why. I'm sure that will start the minds of gossips thinking and assuming... Thing is, my struggles are between me and the person(s) it affects, not the world. To be honest, most of it is me taking on guilt that I should

Growing up I was told to "savor the moments" because time begins to go faster as you age. Hard to understand when you are young, carefree and just "do." I am finding that it is true. Life definitely seems to be going faster every year. And yet, now I find myself with more time again... My youngest graduated this year. She is beginning her new journey as a young adult. Her older siblings are making their decisions and moving on with life as well. This all means I have more tim

In a world that feels like the chaos is leading to closure and endings, there are still beginnings. This week a friend shared that her father had passed away. The wars raging in areas around the world also make it feel like some kind of end is near. Constant changes in life sometimes feel overwhelming and you just want them to end. And yet... those changes can bring beginnings that are good. My friend found hope and peace in the midst of her grief. A new beginning that brough

I wanted to title this Shavuot, but thought that it might scare some people off. Many are celebrating Pentecost this weekend. Guess what, Pentecost originated from Shavuot. I'm excited to celebrate with my kids today! I actually wrote this years ago, but when I read it this morning it was so applicable for me today that I copied and pasted it. Waiting... I'm kind of in that place right now and it isn't always easy. Waiting… Shavuot… Pentecost… What do these things have in com

This week has been interesting... As a mom of adult children I'm learning how to let go of what I used to be able to control. Not an easy task. Things at work added to the thought process of control as well. What do I need to "let be" and believe that it will be okay? Questions I'm pondering this morning... I'm learning how to let go in other areas too. Trying to realize that being in control is not always positive. Learning how to "be" is one of the most important life skill

Time... People used to tell me that time went faster the older you got and I didn't believe them. Now I do. It is so hard for me to imagine that we are already almost half way through 2026. Seriously - where has the year gone? There are days I wish time would stand still. There are more days that I am thankful things keep moving forward. It's just that now things seem to be more - trying to think of the right word as I sit here typing - discombobulated then they used to be. M

I realize that title is an odd one. I've been trying to find one word to keep things simple, and today - that is all that came to my mind. And the reason it came to my mind is because "sometimes" you just have to do things even when it doesn't make sense. This past week I had another birthday. While I was hanging out with my girls it came up that they were planning to do a 5k walk/run on Saturday morning. They asked if I wanted to join them and my immediate response was, "no

We all have something. we count on... There are many times we "count the days" until an important event. We know and believe that something special is going to happen. Did you know that there is a time between Passover and "Pentecost" (I put that in quotes because I like to refer to it as Shavuot) that is counted? The Jewish people were instructed by God to count seven weeks after the first day of Passover, so the 50th day from Passover. These weeks were a time to thank God f

Tonight, according to the current Jewish calendar, Passover begins. I am thankful for a small church that has said they would like to host a Seder meal, so I am headed to Fremont, IN later today to lead a Seder dinner. I am excited to make this happen! Passover is one of the first "Jewish Feasts" I was introduced too. It is one most Christians know about because it is mentioned that Jesus participated in one before he was taken before Pilot. The question is, do they really un

As many of you know, my journey the past 10 years or so was filled with lots of pain, questions and survival. When I was able to remove myself (5 years ago) from the surroundings that were causing me so much stress, the focus was on healing. What does Rose need to do to heal? I have done counseling. I have friends I vent with, cry with, and laugh with. I have journaled (still do). I listen to music (all genres). I walk. I feel stronger and more myself than I did 5 years ago.