I am a planner. When I travel, my planning skill manifests in arriving at the airport extra early. Whereas Bill would slide in on two wheels 20 minutes before take-off, I want to be there an hour before the two hours they recommend, “just in case.” When I lead trips for my work we … Continue reading Badge of Honor
Author: michellegunnin
Follow Me
I went to a party this weekend. It was a gathering of family I hadn’t met yet. Have you ever had those kinds of encounters, where you meet people and you know you belong together? It just feels as if you were cut from the same cloth. It happened like that at a celebration of … Continue reading Follow Me
The Greatest of These…
In my life, I have witnessed all the different kinds of love. Romantic love. Brotherly love. Self-love. In Greek, there are many words for love because they have a name for each kind. All of them are types of human love. I have also witnessed supernatural love. It is the kind that can only come … Continue reading The Greatest of These…
Mary Frances Early
My Aunt Betty had a best friend named Mary Frances. She was spoken of at every family gathering as if she was sitting in the room. We met many times because often she was at a concert we attended or at Betty’s house when we were there. Betty told us all about Mary Frances, and … Continue reading Mary Frances Early
Dear Healthcare Provider (Guest Blog)
Recently, I wrote a blog about Mom's hospital stay. I wrote it from the perspective of a family caregiver and addressed it directly to the hospital. Now my sister Melinda, a nurse practitioner, has written a guest blog from the perspective of a healthcare provider to Healthcare Provider. She makes important points for all those … Continue reading Dear Healthcare Provider (Guest Blog)
Super Bowl Sunday
It seems that the stars have aligned this year. Super Bowl Sunday is on February 2nd, which happens to be Groundhog Day. However, in our house is also Bill’s Alive Day. In honor of this momentous day, I want to tell you a story. In 1988, I was just a young thing who woke to … Continue reading Super Bowl Sunday
Dear Hospital
Dear Hospital, You were created as a place of healing. You exist with a mandate to preserve life. Those who work within your walls are compassionate and desire to help others in the direst of circumstances. They bring health, comfort, and relief to the suffering who have been brought to you for assistance. It is … Continue reading Dear Hospital
A Solitary Path
Caregiving is a solitary path. Watching Dad take care of Mom and even helping him, I can see the toll it takes. She is dependent upon him. We went to a concert together and I saw her needing him. I was right there, but I am not Dad. She seemed to forget how to get … Continue reading A Solitary Path
Compounded Grace
My last blog was about compounded grief, this one is about...compounded grace. Grace resting upon grace. Layering one grace-act upon the other until there is a foundation of solid rock. Compounded grace is beyond feelings. Beyond belief. It is there whether I believe in it or not. This grace counters the grief upon grief … Continue reading Compounded Grace
Compounded Grief
There is an ache in my chest, which wakes my brain. It is not a physical ache, but an emotional one. My brain rouses my eyes and my feet slide out from under the warm covers to tiptoe to my computer…trying not to wake the sleeping dogs. It is a familiar walk through the dark … Continue reading Compounded Grief
