Vicki Atkinson's Blog, page 14

Loving Lisa: TV Memories

My sweet sister Lisa visited with us over the weekend and we had a great time, as usual.  Lisa’s lack of artifice reminds me to be in the moment and enjoy simple traditions.

Memorial Day for Lisa conjures memories of watching the Indianapolis 500 with our dad, despite the fact that he died almost twenty-seven years ago.  When Lisa wants to, she can bring him front and center and big events like Indy will do the trick. Every time.

Dad wasn’t much of a racing fan, but he enjoyed the ...

Moving On

I’ll spare you all of the details, but a dear client came to me this week with a dilemma. A rewind of a persistent issue…  

For several years he’s allowed someone he thought of as a friend to live rent free in his head, plagued by her insensitivities and indiscretions of all sorts.  Perhaps you know the feeling? Plagued by a person who needles you that way?

He’s done the dance of politeness and doesn’t want to harbor a grudge, but his edges show every time he’s around her.

He perfo...

Podcast Thursday! For the Love of Pets

Featuring Author Pete Springer

What’s better than storytelling when the giggling occurs right off the bat? Not much, I say. Our dear friend and author Pete Springer has stories galore. The heartwarming variety, prompting instant laughter. I can use a healthy dose of that tonic every day. You, too?

I don’t want to give away too much, but Wynne and I knew “Circle of Life” or “For the Love of Pets” would be terrific titles for this episode. Perhaps as you listen, you’ll come up with anoth...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – News!

Thanks so much for the continuing interest in my book, “Surviving Sue”. 

I’m grateful to the Palos Heights Public Library for hosting me on May 9.  What a beautiful library and lovely people!

Coming up next?  Registration is still open for the course I’ll be teaching at Harper College, starting June 18.  It’s an in-person 4-week class all about writing to heal and build resilience.  Here are the details:

Lastly, I’m excited to share that the friendly folks at the Woodstock ...

Podcast Friday! Remembering Matters

“The world is shaped by two things – stories told and the memories they leave behind.”

-Vera Nazarian

My dad, Sonny, was a joyful man.  At times. When I rewind and attempt to find photos where he’s smiling, though, I’m at a loss.  When life was good, he was typically behind the camera capturing the glorious combo of madness, mayhem and laughter that typified sunlit days.  I remember him being there for those moments, but there’s little evidence of him as a participant in the acti...

In it…to Win it…With Gratitude

I hate to exercise. Hate, hate, hate it. 

Except…I always feel better after. Everything I know about endorphins and ‘happy chemicals’ from a therapeutic point of view – often helping athletes with sports performance issues – applies to me.  It always has, but to get the benefit, like most things that are worthwhile in life, a little effort is required. Sometimes a truckload of effort.

I loved my friend Brian’s post today on Heart of the Matter.  Brian captured my feelings precisely ab...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Nap If You Want To

Some of my favorite queries from readers are questions about my mom’s sisters and whether they’re in my life now, nearly nine years after my mom, Sue, passed away.

The short answer? No. I’ve had no contact with them since 2016 – just a few months after Sue died. The longer answer? Heartache precludes me from taking simple risks. Fear of rejection when relationships are entangled with drama and family madness. I know my aunts also suffered with Sue and I suspect their grief when she died ...

Podcast Friday! Storytelling Mama

It’s Mother’s Day weekend!

Remembering…telling stories. There’s no better way to celebrate those who give of themselves, no matter what title they hold.

Mother’s Day – for me – will forever conjure thoughts about those who cared for me, regardless of their assigned roles in my life.  The best of mothering, at its innermost squishy core, is loving.

Love, love, loving.

In this week’s Heart of the Matter podcast, Wynne (my favorite storytelling mama) invites us into her world wit...

My Favorite Trio…

I love it when the Universe sends mini-messages. 

I need to pay attention, but more often than not while I’m drinking my morning tea or coffee, I can conjure up a dynamic duo of insight. Occasionally they roll in as terrific trios. That’s what happened this morning.

I give myself a set amount of time for morning scrolling. Looking at news feed, social media, checking email accounts – all under the guise of prioritizing my day. Truth? I’m on the hunt for morsels of inspiration. Somethi...

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes…

Changes. Being the new guy…I think it’s a tough role and it’s one I played over and over again as a child – moving a lot because of my dad’s job.

When Wynne and I chatted with the wonderful Mark Petruska in this week’s podcast, I remembered there’s joy to be found when we step into new territory. Mark’s openness to try…to explore… is an eyes-wide open attitude I’d like to bottle and sell.

Curiosity, authenticity and enthusiasm can go a long way when you’re unsure of yourself. That drea...