1. ‘Tis the season for celebrating: end of school, graduations, weddings, baby showers. But what about all our paths untaken? “Who hasn’t been distracted by the idle daydream, wondering what-if? Alternate versions of our own lives—the what-if ones we might have led—can be as tempting as other people’s experiences. But the truth is we cannot have it all. We have made choices—and had circumstances thrust upon us—that created the contours of one particular life, and no other.” From my latest today at (in)courage.

2. For every parent or caregiver overwhelmed with kids home for the summer: a gorgeous essay to remind you that you’re doing good work, even in the broken places. “The house was a catechism. It taught us that the seemingly irreverent or profane and the sacred are not two opposite poles of some long spectrum of life. Their closeness is life itself.” Ode to an Old House from

   Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ
   .

3. This looks like a fantastic (free!) workshop on Substack Tips for Spirituality Writers from

   Catherine Anne Sullivan
   whose work has been a kindred spirit.  

4. “It wasn’t one big heroic act. It was just a lifetime of being there and doing these small acts of good bit by bit.” An incredible story of a life given in service in a most unusual way. If you need to restore your faith in humanity or science, read about a blood donor who helped save millions of babies in Australia. (Gift article from the NYT.)

5. In the spirit of last Saturday’s essay on small delights which many of you loved, check out Sophie Blackall’s Things to Look Forward to: 52 Large and Small Joys for Today and Every Day. I adore her children’s books: Hello Lighthouse, Farmhouse, If You Come To Earth. So when I saw she had a book for adults, you better believe I got one for my sister—and then one for myself. Highly recommend illustrated books for all ages.

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