The news has gotten me down this week. The suicides of two hugely successful people makes my heart ache wondering what interior sadness or despair they were carrying. Without turning their tragedies into occasions for commentary or morals-of-the-story, can we still at least appreciate together how a person’s inner life can be so little known even to those closest? May we be compelled to bolster those around us with our love, and to strive to fortress ourselves with true inner peace.  

(There’s really no graceful segue into a bunch of relatively trivial links, but isn’t that often the way the transition from reflection and prayer into daily life goes?)

Have a great weekend! Don’t forget to plan out ways to celebrate your husband/dad/grandpa for Fathers Day (and share any ideas you might have, please and thank you!) 

First up, some food for thought on parenting issues/children:

This article makes me want to rewatch some old episodes. Maybe I'd learn a thing or two as a now-parent. 

A good wake up call. What are we doing to our children? Or what can we be doing better? 

Experts give a little more weight to parents' preferences. 

And just a little PSA: Poison ivy awareness. You're welcome in advance. 

For your viewing pleasure:

Maybe I should hate this but I kind of love it. 

On that note, maybe you've already heard of Postmodern Jukebox, but I get a kick out them. 

360-degree tour of Van Gogh. So cool!

Ooof. I would laugh if it wasn't so painfully true. 

Need a little inspiration? 

Running a marathon in 2 hours is INSANE. 

Right to the end, don’t give up, even when things are at their darkest. Talk about a survival story. 

CAKE INSPIRATION. The best kind, because the end result is cake. 

Bring the outdoors inside with some hanging planters.

Things I'm loving: 

I want to wear this every day for the rest of this Houston summer. 

I want to drink this every afternoon for the rest of this Houston summer. 

I want to eat this every evening for the rest of this Houston summer.