Miracle Moments

We're packing up and leaving. They say it's going to be ugly. Worse than Katrina. Gustav sounds more ominous...so we won't stick around and find out... Went to 4pm mass...the homily centered around crosses...the pain and the redemption...the death, then the resurrection. Carrying the cross is always painful...always challenging...always inspiring. There is no other way to carry the burden, but to lift it to a higher level...to the heavens where the winds of grace will guide and glide us to acceptance...to the full knowledge and internal wisdom that comes with the intensity of growing pains. A category 4 or 5 or anything that brings the winds and the rain and the tornadoes and the floods will bring a myriad of crosses to the multitudes of people who have been carrying their crosses for three years now...too many poor people who are still homeless or hopeless--or sick and tired of being sick and tired. They will survive...they must... Redemption comes at a high price..

There's an eerie stillness outside as the storm- Gustav brews and moves closer. We are praying for relief...on this the three year anniversary of Katrina...Please pray for us...storm the heavens and the tide will turn ... Sometimes nature needs to shake things up...to shake us up...to make us see the forest for the trees..to tame the jungle...the lions and tigers and bears. Prayer will do that...the more we pray, the more the spirit moves..and the more we move in the right direction and the less growling we do. For now though-we in New Orleans are moving into evacuation mode...waiting for word that we cannot stay in our homes...that we must evacuate. My heart goes out to so many families who may be leaving again...and leaving behind homes that are still in disrepair -three years after the last devastating blow. And I pray they will somehow find the strength and the will to persevere--no matter what mother nature delivers...I hope as well that they will also believe that rain or s

I think I'm a convert--to feminism. Not feminazism, feminism. Someone who appreciates the finer features of the female persuasion. Brains and brawn, courage and kindness, soulfulness and serenity, leadership and love...the list goes on, but the sentiment is the same...Women are incredibly gifted to be Jack-or Jackies- of all trades-because quite frankly, we're wired for greatness. Sometimes I think-no I know-I take that for granted. We work, we play, we mother, we chauffeur, we perform mini medical procedures and major psychological excavations...we can take the credit or leave it behind...and when we shoot for the moon, we settle for the stars that shine above our spouse, our children or the cause du jour. Living in a man's world, having worked in a man's organization...being the mom of five members of the male persuasion...I've learned the unsettling truth about me...and lots of women like me. We dream big, but wake up to someone else's reality...we give up t

Hurricane Gustav is coming. It's all over the news ... the path of destruction ... possibly straight for New Orleans. Ironically this Friday, August 29th, is the three year anniversary of Katrina. I think we'll be spared, but who knows what the future holds...The best we can do is pray-really intensely. Hurricanes come in many shapes and sizes...and they're not always physical storms...many of them are personal. When Hurricane Katrina hit N.O., my family and I were going through a personal -category four storm...and the path of destruction and the after effects have been just as fierce...taking an emotional, physical and spiritual toll. In fact today, August 26th, is the anniversary of our storm and i'm happy to say, we're alive and kicking...and doing quite well- I might add. Like our neighbors in New Orleans, some three years later...time has begun to heal the deep wounds- as we've worked hard to rebuild our lives while looking to each day with a renewed sense

My 9 year old son Zachary, gave me a hug tonight and said, "what would make you feel good mom?" "You do," I replied. He's such a sensitive child ... all my boys are ... we've been through so much together. Saturday he and his older brothers were so excited ... marching me into the mall to buy me some new sun glasses for my birthday. They told me to get whatever I wanted, money was no option... They had been saving their pennies ... and they were so happy to be able to splurge on me. The next day I heard Zachary telling a friend about the expensive purchase... he said... "That's how important our mom is to us." Priceless words - a loving touch ... Love in action. What else is there?

It's going to get fierce. Obama or McCain, the Democrats or the Republicans. The fight to the finish is on. I've never been much for clubs, or organizations or political parties. Sure we all have to join at one time or another...Our democracy is set up that way--forcing us to choose...the lesser of the so called evils...But if you really sit back and ponder it...our system--arguably the best in the world--often conquers and divides its own people--when the whole purpose is to unify and work together. Sometimes the best man-or woman doesn't win. Sometimes we get so caught up in our pattern of analyzing and criticizing and judging that we lose sight of the big picture...our similarities-and our desire for peaceful, productive lives. The walls of separation often alienate us from ourselves and each other...polarizing people and even nations. Look how things played out for Hillary. This bright, articulate woman who has proven both personally and professionally, that she is str

My girlfriend Helene is very brave. She is dating a man with cancer. She questioned her motives this week. Wondered why she would put herself through this-again. Helene's husband died of cancer--after 18 grueling years of pain, and pity and putdowns. The cancer changed him, changed her and changed their life as a couple. He was hard on himself and hard on her. But she surrendered her needs to his...because she loved him. Plain and simple. Helene says she really likes this man. He's kind to her, appreciates her and is grateful for her companionship. In return, he makes her smile, makes her laugh and respects her feelings. She says maybe this is her calling--to take care of people with cancer...to carress them with love...to let them know -that they are important to someone...to give them hope and the healing that comes with knowing that their life-lived well, is a gift, to themselves and to others. I think she's right. We celebrated his recovery the other evening -at dinner.

I saw the miracle of the sun today. It pulsated with brilliant energy, waves of soft colors flowing outward...pink, orange and green. I smiled. It was as if God had placed the vision right in front of my face where I could not escape seeing it. I was driving my 3 youngest kids to school at 7 a.m. and there it was beaming brightly at me as I maneauvered through the streets...smack dab in front of my face. It warmed my heart. I knew heaven had sent me a Birthday gift...that only I would understand. A boldly beautiful message of love and joy...because on this day 5 decades ago...I entered the human realm...destined for a role that only time would reveal. That's right today I am an official card carrying member of the AARP. I believe I'm an adult now. Although when I look in the mirror--I still see that California girl staring back at me.... kind of like what I see when I look at Madonna--who turned fifty Saturday. I admire her for her independent thinking...and for being herself.

I believe in Karma...what you put out there comes right back at you. I've learned doing the right thing...no matter what- is the only way to go...even if I don't want to...that being a goody two shoes-even when it makes me look weak....is a much more divine walk...than skipping to the beat of a drum that keeps banging my head against a wall of division and strife. I've learned that doing good...helping our neighbor, even when we don't know them--even when the odds are stacked against them...is the most natural emission of energy that we will ever release. I flew into Bosnia severals years ago, in the belly of an army plane right on into Tuzla where the U.S. army was stationed. I was producing a documentary about the human condition...during war...and the internal call to heal by offering a helping hand. The young troops, wide eyed and baby faced amazed me with their solid sense of purpose and deep rooted faith. Despite the imminent danger-they were glad to be there--to

I've always believed that in this life- there is a battle raging -between good and evil, between right and wrong. It doesn't seem to matter how much faith we have or how much good we do-or even how hard we try-all of us, at one time or another-fall prey to an intangible force that slowly, carefully and methodically moves to devour its victims. We see the human wreckage all the time in the vast landscape of violence--physical, emotional and verbal. The weapon of words often cut deepest, scarring and sometimes mutilating the very dignity of the human person. The walking wounded wander aimlessly through life... haunted by insecurity and fear...feeling worthless and betrayed. It doesn't seem to matter how much faith we have or how much good we do-sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes things are out of our control. Sometimes, trying to control, we make bad choices. And sometimes-more often than not-we pick ouselves up, wipe the worry from our faces, put one foot in front of th

I don't know which I like better...summer break or the school year. It doesn't really matter because unless time freezes--the cycles of life ring in the opening of school this time every year. In my house-that means the hectic pace of early morning wake up calls, after school sports practices and late hour homework sessions. This one gets picked up and that one gets dropped off and the other one forgets this -while the next one forgets that. It's enough to make your head spin. I can remember a time when I had four different schools for my five sons...Now we're down to two for the youngest three...Alleluia! But it's apparent that we're a little rusty after the long hazy, crazy days of summer. In fact tonight our wheels fell off this well oiled machine as the frenzied activity of football and homework collided and feelings got trampled on in the aftermath of physical and mental exhaustion. Never a dull moment! But I wouldn't have it any other way! For all the

You never know when something you say, something you do or something you share will trigger a pivotal change in some one's life ... a change that could save their life. My good friend called me today and asked me if I'd take her to her first AA meeting. She's been thinking about it, talking about it, toying with the idea for weeks...but tonight she took the plunge, and I dived right in with her. It takes a lot of courage to walk into an AA meeting for the first time...to even consider confessing an addiction in a public gathering. The fear, the humiliation, the shame and the not knowing-who you may know or who may know you-grips you like a vice. Because let's face it- no one wants to be an alcoholic, and no one really understands how something so stigmatized could have gained power over their perfect little lives...That's because most people don't really understand, that alcoholism-addiction- is a disease- just like cancer or diabetes or aids. You never know who

"God wants you to do this story." I said, "God who?" Many moons ago-1986, my girlfriend Penny Lentini, followed her conscience and handed me a heavenly assignment that would forever alter the course of my life. Several weeks later, I flew on the wings of hope half way around the world-in hopes of winning an Emmy, a pay raise and a promotion to the Network News- in New York City. I landed in a tiny mountain village in Medjugorje Bosnia, where miracles were making modern men and women into old fashioned people of faith. Sure there have been-physical and emotional healings...but the spiritual healings-now that was something to be reckoned with. I for one-had stopped going to church regularly...In fact, my firstborn could practically stroll down the aisle at his Baptism. I'd lost interest in organized religion and I was too busy with the religion of power, money and self indulgence. It is no wonder that a power greater than me, lay in waiting, until exactly the rig

I have a friend, Dave, who's a big wig with a division of the Fox News Network in New York City...That's right-he plays with the big guys and gals that you invite into your living rooms, or kitchens or bathrooms or wherever you allow your tv's and computers to be plugged in... In the early days, as a young buck-breaking into the news business, my dream-my intention-was to wind up like Dave, in New York as a war correspondent or anchor or one of the many shining stars that shine the light on world events that often change the course of our lives. But, as it turns out- that was not the career course that destiny had designed for me...I got derailed by a spiritual epiphany that zapped me into submission- sending me on a spiritual journey that spiraled me out of tv news and sent me into a tv mission- that kept me smack dab in good ole New Orleans! Go figure-best laid plans and all that stuff. I will say however, I did travel the world from Siberia to Japan to Nicaragua to Cuba

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." When nothing else seems to work, when the load is too heavy, when you're not sure if your choice is the right choice...this little prayer of surrender-sums it up!

It is still right now. Peace is upon us. It is the calm before the storm. It feels as though God has given us a reprieve from the noise and the nonsense and the gnawing worries that consume too much of our time. I sat on my steps this evening just looking at the sky, the soft glow of the sun setting all around me and it felt like change is coming. Like the parting of the red sea--a pathway is forming...beackoning a new horizon. Sometimes the best things in life come slowly, over time, without much fanfare and in the quiet solitude of our hearts. It takes time-one day at a time-to reach the perfect pitch, the yielding heart and the warmest understanding of all that is meant to be in this moment, in this day, in this life. We have been trained by the outside to bounce from one idea to the next, to quicken the pace, to accelerate our desires. But we have been fooled far too long. Our true gift, our complete calling, our authentic destiny is written deep within our souls...in the roadmap t

My friend Monica found her soul in a sweet potato patch. Digging in the hard soil, in the heat of the early morning sun...uprooting the golden sweet potato from the fertile fields...she dug deep into her inner core...deep into her consciousness...into the heart and soul of who she was destined to become. It was as if God had designed this work just for her...hard and labor intensive, requiring hours a day standing and stooping in the scorching hot sun--the kind of monotonous work that will either make you go crazy--or make your mind stronger. As the daughter of a Louisiana sharecropper, it may have seemed like Monica Pierre had the odds stacked against her...but actually, everything was working in her favor. You see-God was in charge. Tilling the soil, toiling away the hours, beneath a sea of blue that stretched above her for miles and miles...Monica learned that the sky was the limit...and her imagination the inspiration to realizing her dreams. As she worked, she day dreamed...as she

I learn alot from my children...things about them-and things about me. They're like a mirror looking back at us...if we are open to the reflection. I'm going through a really stressful time right now...and as things go-with the exception of grinding my teeth...I'm handling it fairly well. In conversation with my 11 year old son Jacob, I asked, "How do you think things will turn out?" Without missing a beat he replied, "One of two ways...first, God is watching to see if you will start drinking alcohol...and second, the devil is going to try to make you drink." I said, "What do you think will happen?" Wide eyed, he replied, "The first one-you haven't done that in a very long time...and besides, you have been doing what God wants you to do." I smiled at his support and his faith and his spiritual depth...He gave me strength and encouragement and a sense of accomplishment in the midst of all my mistakes. As I have learned over the yea

We should measure this world by the standards of the next. It is what I believe. However challenging our time here may be-the afterlife is the standard for all life... Money, power, pleasure bring us temporal highs...and when they have been exhausted over and over again...the disillusioned letdowns lead many to give up all hope..to give up life. History is written by men who have walked away from the essence of life---because despite their brilliance, they would not accept the miraculous. That God exists...and that we exist to know God, to love God, to honor God in the service of others, so that we may be happy in this life and the next. Great minds like George Eastman, the founder of Eastman Kodak, believed he had hit his pinacle...his purpose...declaring "there is nothing left for me to do." He marched upstairs to his bedroom and blew his brains out....Adolph Hitler shot himself, committing suicide amid the ruins of Berlin... Wealth and power...but no God. In the end, their

They say stress can kill you. It can also wear out your teeth. I woke up in the middle of the night..thought something had crumbled in my mouth...in the morning, there it was, a broken tooth. Grinding caused me to break the bonding and wa-lah...roothless be toothless. It's happened before, but this time, I didn't freak out, didn't hide my smile, didn't rush to the dentist...I just thought oh well, as things go-this is the easiest thing in my life that I can repair. Of course, I've known I'm a grinder-when the pressure is on...when stress gets bottled up inside...but would you think I'd have a mouth guard by now? Nope, not me. Not til I'm backed into the corner again...Boy oh boy-just breathe! Sometimes some of us seem to need to repeat the school of hard knox multiple times to learn the simple lessons of life. Like paying attention to our breakdowns, break-ups and brokenness...ignoring them or running from them--doesn't make them go away. The ole s

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:1-13 This says it all!

This is a day to celebrate! To look in the mirror and to see the real reflection staring back at us. To see the beautiful person that God created in a very unique and bold way...It is a time to really look at ourselves...to look deep within, to the core of who we are inside, so that our outside reflection mirrors our true identity. I have a very gifted counselor who sees the real me-even when I don't. And according to her, it's a pretty-amazing view. It feels as though the holy spirit is guiding her to guide me to a peaceful harmony with myself. To move me into the now- so that the past stays where it belongs, rathering than pulling me backward. I'm learning the critical value of affirming my gifts and the unique design that is my life. How many times a day do you tell yourself all the wonderful things things that you are...or remind yourself of all your wonderful accomplishments? Instead, do you look in the mirror and see your mistakes or the scars they've left- that a

There is a beautiful woman from Africa living at the battered women's shelter. She is afraid of being alone. Her fear, kept her in a 9 year marriage to a man who almost killed her. The abuse got so bad-she had to face her fear of being alone and leave...Every week when she shares-she grieves the loss of his companionship...she says she likes being married...because she doesn't like being alone. This young woman doesn't realize it yet-but she is not alone...none of us are....not even when we are by ourselves or feeling lonely-the truth is we are never alone... I thought about this woman today as I sat in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the Catholic Church around the corner from my home. I go there when I need prayerful direction, comfort and yes-when I am feeling alone. I remembered today how really alone I used to feel as a child and well into my adult life. In fact I clearly remember a day in my early twenties, at the beginning of a promising TV career and a new marriage-

Out of the mouths of babes! My youngest son Zachary will be ten next month -but lately it feels like he's 15...Last night we were talking about the possibility of selling our family home...it's a little too big for me and his brothers ...but it's our home and well-like the song says--letting go is hard to do...Zachary knows I'm struggling to make the right decision...so he gives me a big hug and says, "It's okay mom-even if we live in a box, I'm going to live with you!" Wow-those words-that voice of support- meant the world to me! The odds are good that we won't be living in a box...in fact, according to another of my wise young sons, 11 year old Jacob...there's manna awaiting in heaven....Jake has been eyeing me throughout the last couple years...watching the wisdom of the woman he calls mom..as she maneauvers life's landmines...apparently in his eyes, I'm making the grade... Jake told me a story he learned in school about this wealthy

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much." -Mother Teresa I don't know about you...but that's exactly how I feel...especially these days. Sometimes the pendulum of life seems to swing in one direction-disorder. Doesn't seem to matter how hard we try--disaster strikes. But what can you do--except stay determined-stay focused-and believe that God will not give you anything you can't handle. When I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders...I think about Mother Teresa...and all she accomplished and overcame with her steadfast determination and her deep rooted faith. Several years back I conducted a short tv interview with Mother Teresa at her Rome headquarters. People asked-did you feel like you were in the presence of a Saint? Were you awestruck? No and no. In fact, I remember thinking how normal she was...how she lived and breathed her beliefs....she put one foot in front of the other every single

Birthdays are beautiful at any age! It's a celebration of the day the heavens opened and delivered a rare one of a kind gift into the Universe! There is no one like you anywhere. No one else has your exact DNA, your genetic code...or your exact inner emotional and intellectual terrain. We are unique! Uniquely special! The beauty is- that on our birthdays we all seem to do some soul searching... about the lives we have led...the paths we have journeyed and the people we have come to know and love. For a few fleeting hours we let down our guard-drop the walls that conquer and divide...to harmonize our feelings with our life's experiences and with each other. Boy-what a roller coaster ride we've been through...really! Some people say they lead boring lives-that their birthdays are just another sign they are growing older...growing closer to the next life...far from this place we call home. Not me-I now look lovingly at birthdays because-well-I'm alive... and growing and gi

I have a friend, who has a new boyfriend. who makes her smile. She has been lonely for love for a very long time. Her relationships have come and gone, but none of them have ever really filled the empty void within. Her husband died of cancer a couple of years ago...and she has been struggling to find herself ...to find the peace she desperately craves. I think about my friend as I examine my own life. I remember a time in the not so distant past, when I felt lonely-lonely in love. I used to fill the void with people, things, activities and finally alcohol. But not anymore. I don't know when it happened or how-but I am finally at peace...finally comfortable with my own company. I've done a ton of heartwrenching, soul searching work on myself...fine tuned the squeeky parts and streamlined the snags that used to catch me in a slew of co-dependent relationships. I was never fully at peace because I had not made peace with myself. I did not have a clear understanding or acceptance

A bright orange sun, set tonight over the city of New Orleans...it beackoned me as I drove...with a power and an energy that can only come from above...Peace and Love radiated from its very core...and I felt an amazing sense of being and belonging and purpose. I agreed to share my story tonite at the 8pm AA meeting. My friend called me two weeks ago and said he couldn't make it, so he said he prayed for a replacement and the Holy Spirit told him to call me. Don't you just love when people pull the God card on you? I told him to call the Holy Spirit back and tell him I have a few requests myself. Just kidding. I shared from a book I'm writing about my life...memoirs of the incredible highs and the incredible lows. Alcoholism used to be one of the lows, but now it's one of the highs...an amazingly poignant gift now that I've embraced it with open arms. Took me forever to get to this point...long after I put down the spirits...but recovery is a lifelong process, becaus

She said he threatened to have someone rape her then slit her throat. He said this in front of their son. Now the little nine year old asks "Will daddy do the same thing to me?" I listened in disbelief. I can't personally wrap my mind around such cruelty. It borders on demonic. But it happens every single day-to our friends our relatives our neighbors. A woman is battered at least once every 15 seconds in the U.S. Four women are murdered by their boyfriends or husbands every day. Threats, intimidation, verbal, emotional, physical-abuse...the threat of murder...this slender young woman, wide eyed and soft spoken-has lived it all...she is the face of a battered woman. But a battered woman who is not going to take it anymore...she is determined to take back her power and control...in order to save her life and the life of her child. Kelly has escaped with her son, to a battered women's shelter in New Orleans. Her first step toward recovery...her first healthy choice...a