jackieshelton_354's blog

I wrote my grandmother’s obituary a few weeks ago. While it made me sad to know that she’s no longer with us, I was very proud of what she accomplished in her 96 years on this planet. And much of what I knew about her life I learned from interviewing her for her obituary.

In our digital age, it can be difficult to remember to slow down and write handwritten notes or letters, let alone mail them. Do people even still have stamps lying around anymore?

While texting and emailing is easier, neither has quite the same effect. And because they happen so rarely, they’re even more valuable. There’s also the benefit of being edit-free, as being unable to edit does tend to reflect the more genuine and authentic you.

Here are just a few reasons to consider investing in cards, a pen and stamps.

The ‘Why’ of Handwritten Notes

Though the holidays should be focused on love, faith, family and togetherness, they can be quite stressful when we feel compelled to find perfect gifts for every person on a long list.

With holiday retail advertisements blasting from every corner and shopping in full swing, we thought it was a good time to look at the creative and positive ways people in our community show their appreciation for loved ones during the holidays.

Perhaps you’ve heard Reno has a monastery of Carmelite nuns, one with breathtaking views overlooking the city skyline. Maybe you’ve driven down Plumb Lane and seen the “Carmel of Reno” directional signage, wondering what it meant. Or it’s possible this is your first time hearing of a monastery or Carmel of Reno. Regardless of your familiarity with the concept, now is your chance to pay a visit.

Sarah Horsman-Ploeger originally got involved with the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) eight years ago through her job at The Continuum, where she works with families of infants and toddlers with developmental delays.

If you look carefully, you’ll see a rabbit in the moon instead of a man. The rabbit is the focus of a Buddhist Jataka tale, which are stories of Buddha’s previous lives. In one story, “The Rabbit in the Moon,” Buddha was reborn as a selfless rabbit, who eventually promised to sacrifice himself so that others could eat.

Parenting can be difficult under the best of circumstances. But it becomes infinitely harder when you didn’t have a parent around to model those skills for you, you have a challenging relationship with the other parent, you become a parent earlier than you were planning or you experience any of the various complications that go along with being part of a family.

Birthday parties are an integral part of growing up. They’re a chance to be special for a day, spend time with friends, eat fun food and of course, get presents. But for some children whose parents are struggling with homelessness, a birthday celebration can be pushed to the bottom of the priority list.

A person working full-time for minimum wage in Nevada grosses $1,320 a month. With rents in Reno averaging $1,239, residents in our area are facing untenable housing costs. This is particularly a challenge for members of our community who are elderly, low-income or who have disabilities.

Most of us know the power of music from experience. We hear a song that brings us straight back to high school or a Christmas carol that reminds us of a long-ago family tradition. We also have that one (or maybe more) song that can bring us out of a funk and get us back on track to slay all the items on our to-do list.