Are you awaiting a launch? A new career? Motherhood? Fatherhood? Relationships? A new season in your life? New technology? At the beginning of the year, I planned a launch date. It is here.

While in Alaska I stepped into a cardboard “boat” with my little grandson. I’d sing, “We’re sailing, we’re sailing, we’re sailing on the water! What do you see captain?” His little body would stand with his hand planted ever so cutely on his forehead, “I see a dog,” he’d say in his precious 2-year-old voice. He was excited to launch…everyday! As I gazed at his tiny newborn sister, I thought of the world that they, along with their sweet cousin in Washington, will experience; so much launching ahead. During my trip I experienced my first “tiny” earthquake rumble, a mere glimpse of the Northern Lights, plenty of moose, and a beautiful fall that quickly turned to winter. It has been more than a year since visiting Washington and seeing my precious loves there. Yet, as majestic as the scenery, nothing can hold a candle to the sight of all of them. Nothing.

My personal launches now take more intentional focus, energy, and effort. There have been times I’ve wanted to launch things across a room (particularly a cheap laptop). Innovative programs were launched. I have launched new careers. You may wonder if you even have a purpose, much less a longing to launch. You might struggle with launching out of bed due to doom and gloom that seems ever so present in media (or the opposite, complete tone-deafness to the genuine issues of humanity). You may long for a life that can no longer exist (why yes, I’d love to live on Walton’s Mountain or in a Little House on the Prairie for a bit). Maybe you rely on luck to launch you. Perhaps your purpose is paused by panic. Has melancholy muddled your mind? Do you repeatedly regurgitate regret? We all feel like this at times.

Do any of you remember the old hymn, “Love Lifted Me”? Written by James Rowe in 1912, the lyrics refer to Jesus in the book of Matthew. He walked on water, saved Peter from drowning, AND calmed the storm on the sea. While working on my new launch (after a safe landing from Alaska), I tweaked the title just a bit, singing happily, thinking of my grandmas and all my family around the piano, “When nothing else could help, love launched me!” Isn’t it true though…what a little love can do? My tank is full. I am ready to launch.

Finley loves being on the cover! My little grandson loved the book (although I told Mom that I did NOT hide all the other books 😉)

Have faith🤍

I’m so glad I was introduced to this song in Alaska. Tears fall with the love I hold for my kids and grandkids. Listen and enjoy. ❤

In 4 days it will have been 20 years since the tragedy of 9/11. Over the weekend I watched several documentaries. Remembering what we were doing on that day is something I’m sure we all share in common. Many of you are old enough to remember other tragedies; some of you too young to remember the impact of this one. There’s a sense of guilt I feel that I became absorbed in watching these personal interviews of survivors. To all of the victims and their families, my heart still bleeds for your loss. The aftershock and waves of sorrow that still impacts these victims are indescribable. So many died as heroes. And many heroes still live.

I was only 31 and responsible for leading a primary school. One teacher had a husband working at the Pentagon. Several parents had pilot spouses. Parents were coming in droves to pick up their children (including the preschool we had about 550 students). That night, probably like you, I couldn’t wrap my head around the attacks. But I hugged my boys very tight as I was glued to my T.V. Praying to God for leadership direction in the aftershocks. The fall of the towers and the vulnerability felt led to major personal changes. How did your life change?

My space here is not to create political or religious division. The poem I wrote below this past Saturday was not born from anything but love. For in the end that’s all that matters. Love.

One Fall Day

Religion became hate
and violence their norm.
The Cold War had ended,
new terrorists formed.

The West gripped their greed
and lived life based on things,
an enemy was planning
their terror using wings.

We all watched in horror
as the towers burned and fell.
We were stricken with grief.
It was a living hell.

Sisters, brothers,
husbands, wives,
Mothers, Fathers,
So many lives.

The shock of the loss
and the vulnerability felt,
made us close to our maker,
on knees we all knelt.

My tears wouldn't stop.
I hugged my sons so tight.
In my own tiny world,
that's all that felt right. 

Borders are created
by skin and beliefs,
religion, and politics,
is there any relief?

Terrorism since then
has been even homegrown.
Attacks on each other,
some alone and unknown.

Our weapons of choice
can be held in our hands.
In a text, hug, or wave
we declare our own lands.

Don't forget the days
that our innocent have died.
Turn your trust to God,
it's the only right side. 


K.L. Hale