Chicken Soup for the Soul

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Being Grandma

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

“From the very beginning, my mom and son shared a special connection. After all, they were Birthday Buddies.”

Friends, I’m so happy to share my personal essay “Birthday Buddies,” (which includes the sentence above), has been included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Being Grandma. The book features 101 “heartwarming, amusing, and inspirational stories” written by “grandmothers, grandchildren, and everyone in between.” 

The book is a tribute to grandmothers and the special love grandmothers share with their families, and I’m very proud to be a part of it. 

It’s always exciting to have my writing selected for publication.

But to be honest, having my writing published in a book brings those exciting feelings to a higher level. 

And having this particular story published in this particular Chicken Soup for the Soul edition is meaningful and thrilling and special on a whole other level.

You see, my mom and my son are Birthday Buddies. And later this month, my mom will turn 81 the same day my son will turn 18! 

And if I may suggest — Mother’s Day isn’t too far away. Start your shopping early and purchase a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Being Grandma for the special grandmothers in your life. 

Friends, do you have a special memory or anecdote about your grandmother? Feel free to share in the comments. 

Please note: I am including a link to buy the book that I’m highlighting this week. If you use my link, I do make a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. I am working with Bookshop.org which also sends a portion of the profit to support local, independent bookstores.

Stories About Self-Care and Balance

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

I am happy and proud to share that my story, “ An Unexpected Gift,” has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Stories About Self-Care and Balance. 

I’m the first to admit that I’m not the best at self-care or putting myself and my needs on the top of my to-do list. 

I hope reading these stories will help you (and me) learn to regularly carve out “me time.”

Chicken Soup and Cozy Stories

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

Who else needs comfort and reassurance during these scary times?

In our family, comfort takes many forms. 

Mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.

Snuggly blankets. Fuzzy socks. Lit candles. Lots of hugs.

And favorite stories. 

This holiday season, perhaps more than any other, we need to hold on to that which makes us feel comforted and calmed. 

We need heart-warming, re-affirming stories. 

On that note, might I do a little self-promotion and recommend Chicken Soup for the Soul: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – 101 Tales of Holiday Love and Wonder, a collection of feel-good, holiday-themed, non-fiction stories. 

And, if you turn to page 140, you will read “A Timeless Gift” — written by me! It’s my story of our family calendar and its place in our holiday traditions. 

May your holidays be filled with good stories and good health.

 

A Timeless Gift

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

My kitchen calendar is flipped to the last page. Which means it’s December, and the holiday season is upon us.

How do you celebrate? Do you make cookies? (I don’t.) Do you hang a Santa-wreath on your front door? (I do.) 

What about gifts? Do you, my dear readers, have a favorite gift? Maybe a gift you received years ago, but one that is no less vivid in your memory? Or, a gift you regularly receive, but still eagerly anticipate each year?

That’s how I feel about my kitchen calendar.

Have you started your holiday shopping?

May I offer a suggestion? 

If you, or someone you know, enjoy reading heartwarming, holiday-themed, non-fiction stories, I highly recommend Chicken Soup for the Soul: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – 101 Tales of Holiday Love and Wonder. 

And, if you turn to page 140, you will read “A Timeless Gift” — written by me! It’s my story of our family calendar and its place in our holiday traditions. 

Here’s the first paragraph:

“My sister and I each received a new calendar every Christmas. And even though we shared a bedroom and could have shared a calendar, too, we always got our own.” 

I’m so proud to say I have a piece published in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. And I hope this charming book will help you get into the holiday spirit and maybe even inspire you with “new plans for family fun, gift ideas, and recipes.”