When I say I went on 15 of the worst first dates of my life, I’m not kidding. There was a guy who listed his height as 5’10” on his profile, but he was actually 5’1″ in person and he talked with a squeaky, high-pitched voice, like Mickey Mouse. He was a professional photographer. Half-way through our dinner, he mentioned he had a portfolio of his photos on his website. I pulled my smart phone out of my purse so... Read more
This weekend we observed All Saints Day, and it got me thinking about what it means, and what it takes, to be a modern saint. It’s a journey I’ve been on for the past few years, and this week I thought I’d do some honest writing about what it’s been like for me. As you may know, after I finished breast cancer treatments on the east coast in 2008, I moved to Portland, Oregon. For the first few years, I... Read more
It’s my parents’ anniversary today. They’ve been married for nearly four decades. The more failed dating relationships I have — well, let’s be honest, the longer I go without dating at all — the more amazed I am at their marriage. They found each other, they committed to each other, they stayed together, they worked things out. They figured out how to live life together, and how to become each other’s strongest supporter and closest friend. They learned how to... Read more
Since I returned from Togo, I’ve been on a writing deadline for my next book. After an amazing homecoming with my parents at O’Hare International Airport, I stayed at their home in Illinois for five days. I left to do some speaking engagements in California and Colorado, and now I’m at my sister’s place in Pennsylvania. When I’m writing, I have the same routine: Every morning, I plod to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, then climb back in... Read more
This weekend, I saw lots of people posting “#PrayersForMexico” on social media. I almost had a heart attack when I realized that some of these same social media friends were the same people who mock other ethnicities, repeat quotes and memes disparaging people in lower economic classes and support politicians who have not only opposed immigration, but severely mistreated undocumented immigrants. So I posted this, which got a lot of “likes” and shares. This morning, I am still heartbroken... Read more
Some people learn life skills like love, patience and conflict resolution from living with a partner and/or having small children. I get my character formation from traveling. Trying to be patient and kind when I’ve been up since 3 a.m., had two delayed flights and the rental car company lost my reservation is stressful. My sainthood expires after I’ve gone more than 24 hours without sleeping. I flew a lot in the past week for speaking engagements. Chicago to Los Angeles... Read more
I spent the weekend with dear friends. This morning, they dropped me off at the airport so I could fly to my next speaking engagement. Over the weekend, we talked about culture shock. We talked about it, and I said I didn’t have it, that I was so relieved to be home that maybe I wouldn’t experience it. Also, because I had a chance to write about it, it was like going to talk therapy and processing everything well. And on top... Read more
Last week I went to Target to make a little care package for my 4-year-old nephew. I was standing in the art supply aisle, and I had a choice to make. I could buy him a paint-by-number kit, or I could get him a sketch pad and let him freestyle instead. I choose freestyle over paint-by-numbers. What great art was ever created by following the lines and numbers someone else decided for you? It got me thinking a lot about numbers,... Read more
Every morning I was in Africa, I tried to spend at least an hour writing, praying and/or meditating. A quiet time to listen to God and talk to him before everything got crazy. A few days after I got out of the hospital after having malaria, I got a cup of coffee from the kitchen and walked back to my room. I picked up my notebook and my Bible and my pen, prepared to do some deep thinking and praying.... Read more
I landed in the U.S. on October 5th. One of the first things I saw when I stepped off the plane in Chicago was pink. A poster of a large pink ribbon. Pink water bottles. Airline employees wearing pink ties and pink dress shirts. It dawned on me that it was October in the U.S., which meant it was Breast Cancer Awareness month. The month I sometimes appreciate, sometimes enjoy, sometimes dread since my own diagnosis nine years ago. As... Read more
Sarah Thebarge
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