Category Archives: summer

Gratitude for Little Things

Posted on March 2, 2018 by maryannniemczura

With a joyful heart today, I rejoice in love, family, friends, music and the little things of life which hold great meaning: -family time at the spa in Skaneateles followed by a tasty luncheon -friends both old and new are … Continue reading →

Posted in family, gratitude, love, music, shared humanity | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Thank You, Mom!

Posted on April 21, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Each April brings reminders of her. I was preparing for my second Fulbright teaching exchange to the former East Berlin. My mother died April 26, 1994, in Colorado so I flew out for the funeral and to help in close … Continue reading →

Posted in April memories, Fulbrights to Germany, gratitude, Mother | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Expressing Gratitude

Posted on November 25, 2016 by maryannniemczura

Tasked with writing a letter expressing gratitude to someone who changed their lives but whom they never thanked, my students had a project one Thanksgiving to write a letter of gratitude and to surprise the person they are thanking by … Continue reading →

Posted in Fulbright year, gratitude, reflections, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Falling Leaves

Posted on November 7, 2015 by maryannniemczura

Enjoying the last few fall days before the onslaught of winter white covering the ground, I came across a beautiful area in downtown with colorful fall leaves as if waiting for my photograph. Record-breaking temperatures beckoned people outdoors to bask … Continue reading →

Posted in colors, dedication, Fall, gratitude, holidays, leaves, milirary heroes, service, Veteran's Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Nature’s Overture

Posted on August 8, 2015 by maryannniemczura

Abundant, vibrant, ever-changing hues. First warm and welcoming, then desolate, harsh, cold, blustery, and cruel. Why I wonder? This dichotomy of death on a sweltering, hot summer day as birds sing and nurture their young is so heartrending. Why? Trying, … Continue reading →

Posted in bird song, comfort, Costa Rica, cumulus clouds, death, grief, hues, nature, sorrows, summer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Meaning of Family

Posted on November 29, 2014 by maryannniemczura

What is a family? We could attempt to define this within the contours of logic, but it would only be a concept in the mind. And concepts typically don’t compel us to travel vast distances to be with our families … Continue reading →

Posted in family, gratitude, impermanence, life lessons, love, Musings, parents, People, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Things to do

Posted on August 23, 2014 by maryannniemczura

As late summer is upon us, I feel the rush to do everything including all the things I have put off for so long: Clean out the closet – best done on a rainy day Donate items to charity Set … Continue reading →

Posted in About the book, education, summer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment