Entries by Sandra Marinella

A Positive Purpose

It was two decades ago that Annie thumped down the halls of Red Mountain High in combat boots. No one wore them then. Only Annie. Her short red hair was spiked out in artful tufts that spiraled in different directions. I suspect it was uncontrollable and she hated it, but everyone else loved it, probably […]

The Gift of Resilience

As a child I thought Christmas was doll clothes my mother was secretly making for my ballerina doll. It was the smell of homemade coffee cake. It was placing too many lights on the tree. It was singing loudly in church with friends. It was visiting with and my Grandma Rose’s family. But at age […]

The Circle of Gratitude

My mother always said, “Gratitude begets gratitude.” I wondered what she meant. I began writing daily gratitudes back in 2019 while my mom’s health was failing, and I hated facing the loss of her beautiful self. She had always listened like no one else. She had always understood. I knew her loss would be irreplaceable […]