If you scroll through my cell phone contacts, eventually you’ll come to an entry simply titled “Mom—home.” The one just above it is noted as “Mom—cell.” They’re complete with my mom’s profile picture and home address. I’ve happily used these numbers over the years to chat it up for countless hours with my mom about all our life…
It was like getting punched in the stomach. I heard the words coming from my supervisor’s mouth and watched as she relayed the news of our company’s layoff, but it still felt surreal. After hearing the terms of departure, I was met by a security guard at my office where I was to immediately clear out. I was…
When the pandemic started here last Spring, I knew we were in for some changes. But I also thought by summertime we would surely be on our way back to “normal.” Well, we see that hasn’t happened, and it may not be like we were used to for a while longer. So, these days of confinement…
The pandemic we’re living through has brought on a lot of dark days for many individuals, including kids. But think back a few weeks ago, just prior to this worldwide dilemma. How were your children feeling at that time? Did you notice any ongoing behavior or attitudes in them that just didn’t seem quite right?…
Downpours of rain are one thing to endure, but storms of life are not always such a quick fix. Sometimes days turn into years when waves of hardship keep knocking us down. It feels as though the skies will never clear again. Find Shelter Last summer I went on an evening walk up a trail that would…
Four years ago on this date, I started working from home. The job for which I had moved across state lines was abruptly changed by upper management. The shocking situation left me in a dilemma of what to do next. I was angry at those who had made the decision. I was confused about how the…
Meet one of our fabulous counselors—Lorraine Looney, LMSW. Lorraine joined the BabbCenter for Counseling team at the end of 2017. She provides counseling for children, adolescents, adults and families with a focus on substance abuse and co-occurring disorders as well as depression and anxiety, stress management, and grief counseling. Q. Where did you go to school? A. Boston University. I loved…
It is not unusual for pastors to be asked spiritual questions. It happens almost every single day in person, by email, by social media, or by telephone. And one of the questions that I get asked often is about suicide. Usually, the person is grieving over a loved one that took their own life and…
Experiencing significant loss through the death of a friend or loved one can be extremely difficult! Those who’ve traveled this journey may have wondered if their grieving was considered typical or not. While grief is not predictable, and hardly ever feels “normal,” most of us have the resiliency to make it through the experience. Along the way,…
Change. We all yearn for it and at times we dread it, but it is an ever-present part of our lives. Encountering change is front and center each January. New year, new you; Best year ever; Meet your goals…all these phrases promise change with the hope of something “better.” I’ve learned that in my pursuit…