Peace Begins with a Smile

There are certain times when I can’t help but to feel overwhelmed, exhausted and alone. Sometimes, even defeated. Personal loss has hit me hard this past year. First, I had to put my best little friend Izzy to sleep. I got Izzy after surviving attempted murder...

Cops and Celebrity

Just prior to the Crime Survivors Gratitude Gala Awards Banquet, we were being told that many would not sponsor, donate or attend our event because we are too supportive of law enforcement and treat them as celebrities, when the rest of the nation is not. I don’t know...

A Tribute to My Mother Priscilla Wenskunas 2/19/41 – 7/29/15

My mother was born during the war years to both Italian and Polish parents. She grew up in La Salle, IL, an hour outside of the Chicago area.  She loved making – and eating – many different types of soup. I remember vividly, she made daily soups for my father’s...

All We Are Saying

I just love the English language. It’s so full of catch phrases and sayings, many of which have come into vogue the past 10 to 15 years. A lot of it is coded, or nuanced at the very least, but it does pepper our everyday speech. Just the other day I was speaking to...