Wednesday Words of Wisdom – Richelle E. Goodrich
7
10, 2026
5
10, 2026
They Steal Our Hearts and then…
From the moment you hold that fluffy little ball of fur, your head knows that he’s not going to live as long as you do. Yet, for some reason, your heart refuses to acknowledge what your head knows. When the time comes, your heart cracks into a bazillion pieces.
We lost our beloved Finnegan MacCool last week, and our hearts are in a million pieces.
It wasn’t unexpected. He was ten years old with a life expectancy of 10-12 years. We knew the day was coming. Our other five Old English Sheepdogs, Obadiah, Micah, Rhinestone, and Toby, met him on the Rainbow Bridge. Buster, our Maltese, and our four-legged mixed-breed babies: Lucky, Azariah, Bernie, and Scuttles also greeted him.
The separation is hard no matter how many times you go through it. We know time will ease the sadness. That doesn’t stop the tears.
Some days are better than others. We move on one day at a time. On those not-so-good days, we remember the fun times.
RIP Finnegan MacCool, July 26, 2016 – September 22, 2026
30
09, 2026
28
09, 2026
Wake up and Read!
Library Week, which highlights the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians, was in April. School, public, special, and academic libraries took part.
Sadly, statistics show fewer people are reading books. Unfortunately, that’s been true since the mid-1950s. According to research, the problems in the 50s were radio, television, and music. The 21st-century issue is social media. Both are really the same problem.
To motivate people to support and use libraries, the American Library Association (the ALA) and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit organization in 1954 called the National Book Committee (NBC), which plans a yearly National Library Week.
The very first theme for National Library Week was “Wake Up and Read!”
The focus for Library Card sign-up month is “a library card hits all the right notes.”
Books do entertain, teach, and provide escape. And, most importantly, books are FREE at libraries. All you need is a library card.
The library has always been one of my favorite places. My library card is one of my most prized possessions. I love checking out books or downloading eBook editions. I’m currently reading Karen White’s That Carolina Summer.
I also use Libby, the library app, which allows free downloads to Kindle. Check Libby out here: https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby. Your library card serves as your account.
Do you have a library card?
23
09, 2026
21
09, 2026
Suicide-the stigma and prevention
This is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Suicide doesn’t really get a lot of press, though it has been a problem throughout human history. Suicide rates are increasing and, in recent years, it has become something of an epidemic.
Did you know…
- 5.5% of U.S. adults have serious thoughts of suicide each year.
- Suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 49,300 people.
- Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.
- There were over two times as many suicides (49,316) in the United States as there were homicides (22,830).
Until I started researching this topic for this blog, I didn’t. Even more staggering statistics can be found here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide#part_2558
Suicide is particularly problematic because people with suicidal thoughts feel as though they can’t speak to others due to the stigma surrounding suicide.
“Suicide loss survivors” and friends and families affected by a suicide too often have feelings of shame that prevent them from talking openly. Those feelings of stigma are not unique to suicide but to all forms of mental illness.
In 2020, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line phone numbers were combined. The following year, the FCC expanded 988 Lifeline services to text.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its territories.
Educating ourselves about mental illness and suicide can be the first step toward reducing the stigma and the statistics.
- Know the Warning Signs and Risk of Suicide
- Preventing Suicide as a Family Member or Caregiver
- Being Prepared for a Crisis
This Suicide Prevention Month, help spread the word:
Post about Suicide Prevention.
Learn to recognize warning signs.
Walk, run, or fundraise.
Support an organization. Donate or volunteer.
Share the 988 Suicide & Crisis Number.
16
09, 2026
14
09, 2026
What are your trigger dates?
Friday was a difficult day for many. It was for me. Even though it’s been twenty-five years since 9-11 happened, my memories are vivid.
Certain personal dates can trigger flashbacks. Other dates, whether we were directly involved or not, do too. These dates can bring on emotions for me.
- November 25, 1963 Kennedy Assassination
- August 22, 1966 Whitman shooting from the University of Texas Tower
- January 28, 1986 Challenger Explosion
- November 9, 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall
- August 31, 1997 Princess Di dies in a car accident
- April 20, 1999 Columbine High School CO shootings
- September 11, 2001 September 11 Attacks
By far, 9-11 is the most vivid even though it’s been twenty-five years. I sat at home drinking coffee in our sunroom with the Today show on TV. I stared in horror as the second plane hit the towers, with the first building burning in the background.
I couldn’t turn off our TV for days, filled with concern that my Army Reserve husband would have to deploy to fight whatever evil had breached our borders. Selfish, maybe, but a reality for military spouses.
Maybe 9-11 or one of the other listed dates stirred memories for you too.
No matter what date or anniversary triggers you. Let’s claim Virgil’s quote pictured below on the wall at the 9-11 Memorial in New York City. It’s true for any trigger date.
9
09, 2026
7
09, 2026
Happy Labor Day!
Today is Labor Day, as I’m sure we all know. It seems late. Blame the calendar. This year, September started on a Tuesday, which pushed the first Monday to the 7th.
New York City celebrated the first Labor Day on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, following the plans of the Central Labor Union. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1894, it became an official federal holiday celebrated with parades and speeches.
These days there aren’t many speeches or parades.
Most of us think of Labor Day as the end of summer and celebrate with cookouts instead. We forget what the day is truly about — honoring the workers of America.
Maybe as you celebrate today, pause and say thank you to all the workers.