Category: good for the soul

Posted on

Orthopedic Roulette and the Joy of the Game

Maria stands at the pickleball net holding a racket.
“Say yes to joy, even if it comes with an ice pack.”

There’s something delightfully ridiculous about finding yourself in the thick of a game you used to think was for “old people.” That’s how I ended up loving pickleball. Yep, pickleball. Equal parts tennis, ping-pong, and orthopedic roulette, it has become a surprising joy in this season of my life.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m no pro out there. I’m more likely to spend time laughing at myself than keeping score. But there’s a magic in it: the paddle in my hand, the friendly smack of the ball, the back-and-forth rhythm that somehow awakens the teenager in me while my knees loudly remind me I am not, in fact, a teenager anymore.

The best part isn’t even the game. It’s the spontaneous community that forms over shared enthusiasm and shared aches. I love the playful teasing and the high-fives for mediocre shots. It’s like recess for grownups, and yes, sometimes we pull a muscle at recess. and of course, there are refreshments after a game (whether we kept score or not).

Embracing New Challenges

Every time I finish writing a book, I hold it in my hands and inevitably think of the chapter I should have included. This time, it’s pickleball. A Beautiful Second Act is about women embracing the unexpected turns and new joys in midlife and beyond. Believe me, there’s something metaphorical about charging the net at 60.

So, here’s my humble update to the book: try something new, even if it makes you feel a little silly. Laugh often. Stretch first. And say yes to joy, even if it comes with an ice pack.

Game on, friends!

Posted on

Holy Women and New Chapters: A Retreat for Catholic Women

From Saints to Second Acts

One of the perks of women’s ministry is the obvious: fellowship with women! This past weekend I had the pleasure of leading a parish retreat on Saints and Second Acts at the conclusion of a book study on My Badass Book of Saints as a seque into a book club about A Beautiful Second Act. What an honor for me to be able to share in this way!

Picture this: a room full of Catholic women, cups of coffee in hand, laughing together as connections were made or remade. What better way to bridge these two books than a retreat—a sacred pause to celebrate bold faith and step into our own renewed purpose in whatever new act is coming?

Bridging Badass and Second Act

The day kicked off with a 45-minute talk about befriending the saints, and seeking them in our daily lives. It was a light talk punctuated by stories of my favorite saints, especially Sister Blandina Segale, who was inspiration for the Badass book, and the astonishing and frightening St. Olga of Kyiv, whose appallingly violent first act was followed by a profound conversion to the Christianity is told in A Beautiful Second Act.

Next came the heart of the retreat—a small group activity to reflect on our faith journey. We settled into our groups by table, armed with markers and paper. First, each woman jotted down a “badass” moment from her past—maybe standing up for her faith or powering through a tough season—and a current challenge that might be the start of something new. Then, we shared and created group “maps”—timelines, pictures, or lists weaving our stories together.

The morning wrapped up with a second talk that examined our feminine genius and how, as women, we are deeply connected to the Blessed Mother. Notes from scripture and the Catechism emphasized the changing seasons in our lives and the opportunity for renewal and second chances. Ecclesiastes 3:1—”There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”—underscores that God ordains different phases, each with its own purpose.

In a cozy church hall, surrounded by saint statues and sisterhood, we bridged two books and countless stories. We talked about our bold roots and beautiful next steps—perfect for badass Catholic women like us. Ready for your second act?

Posted on

The Little Cross That Found Us

A Tangible Reminder of God’s Love

Remember the Tiny Jesus we were giving away? Here is Tiny Jesus with the Found Cross.

You know those moments when God just shows up? Not in a flashy, part-the-seas kind of way, but in the quiet, unexpected, deeply personal ways that remind you He’s got you?

We had one of those moments recently when my husband was in the emergency room. (He’s fine now, thank God—but that’s a story for another day.) While we were in the hospital, a kind nurse came in to check on us, and I happened to notice she was wearing a Tau cross. Now, if you know, you know.

“Hey,” I said, pointing at the little wooden cross, “are you a Franciscan?”

Her face lit up. “You know what this means?”

A Simple Question, A Big Connection

And just like that, a little spark of faith turned into something much bigger. She immediately went off to find the hospital chaplain so my husband could receive Holy Communion. Enter Fr. Jim—equal parts pastoral and hilarious. He came in, joked with us, prayed with us, and then handed my husband something truly special: a hand-carved wooden cross.

It turns out, a veteran makes these crosses from “found” wood—because, as the Vet explains, we all need to be found. Each cross has a tiny red dot on it, a reminder of the blood Christ shed for us. Simple. Beautiful. Powerful.

A Gift that Keeps Giving

I thought that was the end of it—just a sweet, grace-filled moment. But since that hospital stay, every follow-up appointment in the VA system has revealed something remarkable. Again and again, we’ve encountered that little cross. Nurses have them. Techs have them. And every time we see one, it’s like a joyful little nudge from God saying, I’m still here. I’ve got you.

Isn’t that just like Him? Showing up in the small, ordinary, and completely unexpected ways to remind us we are never alone?

God is good. And sometimes, He leaves little reminders in our path—just when we need them most.

Pin It on Pinterest