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# Shelly Calcagno

blogger / author / speaker

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [All the wasted time.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2026/08/18/all-the-wasted-time/) - I have an app on my phone that lets me know how much time I have spent each week on social media. I have my daily limit set for 30 minutes, but let’s be honest - I override that all the time. For the past couple years my weekly update of screen time would consistently I have an app on my phone that lets me know how much time I have spent each week on social media. I have my daily limit set for 30 minutes, but let’s be honest - I override that all the time. For the past couple years my weekly update of screen time would consistently be 3-3.5 hours and to be honest, I felt like that was a lot. But I do use my phone for work, book/writing/marketing purpose and the connection tools we all have come to rely on. I have no game apps. I don’t have TikTok. Wordle is gone. X has banned me. So, I felt balanced. I was ok with that number, but I was still trying to make it even less. I value time. Or, so I thought.
- [Those Breaking, Beautiful Days](https://shellycalcagno.com/2026/02/03/those-breaking-beautiful-days-of-motherhood/) - I watch you, my heart filling and aching as I remember those breaking, beautiful days. Long hours all joined together into never-ending weeks, as the clock ticks into time-taking that you never learned - numbers that don't add up no matter how hard you try. Wondering when the moments will feel like yours again. Realizing Long hours all joined together into never-ending weeks, as the clock ticks into time-taking that you never learned - numbers that don't add up no matter how hard you try. Wondering when the moments will feel like yours again. Realizing they never truly will as you juggle the sweet little lives that right now need every part of you. Overwhelmed by the wildest, deepest love you have ever felt as you look down into the darling eyes that reflect yours. Love so big, you couldn’t put it into words if you tried. Sometimes the tears come when you don’t even know why, and I want to cry too. It’s not easy - the literal tearing apart of body and heart that takes time to mend. The wounds gently heal as you reluctantly start to move ahead, imperfectly embracing all that is now.
- [I do love now, I still miss then](https://shellycalcagno.com/2025/10/08/i-do-love-now-i-still-miss-then-2/) - When the fall light hits the front door window just right, I can see his little handprints shining through. It’s October now, and it seems like it was just a blink backwards to the July long weekend when my little grandson was here to visit with his darling baby sister and parents. The most glorious I used to be a Windex ninja, going after all the smudges and smears, complaining under my breath that everyone had sticky hands and needed to wash up. “All I do is clean up after you," is what I know I said more than once during those peak childhood (and teenage) years. Wishing that everything would all stay in place, and that I could gain control over the chaos.
- [Guest Post - Lorie Hartshorn](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/12/16/guest-post-lorie-hartshorn/) - It's a joy to welcome Lorie Hartshorn to my blog today. I met Lorie years ago and was familiar with her and her ministry - but I really got to know her sharing a studio space when she was co-host of 700 Club Canada, and I was with The News Forum. She is an absolute
- [I'll Bloom Too](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/09/24/ill-bloom-too/) - On the day she died, we tenderly gathered up her belongings from the care home and brought them out to the car—tears streaming down our faces, matching the light rain falling from the sky. I took her plants, the ones I had watered each week that were growing on her window ledge, looking out into
- [Kiss & Drive](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/08/24/kiss-drive/) - Maybe it wasn’t a good idea for a melancholy mom to walk through the old elementary schoolyard tonight. I looked back, and my heart went into my throat as the sunlight gently shone through that old kiss-and-drive lane. A clever name, really. Drive down the lane in the morning, give your kids a quick kiss
- [Everything with purpose takes time](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/07/16/everything-with-purpose-takes-time/) - I always think back to a past conversation with a friend about change, transitions and life paths when she reminded me that no time is ever wasted. At this stage of life, I feel like I am always thinking about time. Wondering where it went as I sit in our empty, empty-nest home. Wishing it
- [You probably didn't know](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/07/10/you-probably-didnt-know/) - You probably didn’t know all those years ago when you gently planted those little roses bushes, that one day they would be a beautiful reminder of you. That I’d jump out of the car to see them, gingerly cut a few to bring home, wrapped so carefully like the most precious treasure. Could you
- [Guest Post - Andrea Couture](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/07/09/guest-post-andreacouture/) - I'm so excited to welcome Andrea Couture to my blog today! I met Andrea through Alz Authors, a global community of authors writing, blogging, podcasting, etc. about Alzheimer's and Dementia from personal experience with the goal to light the way for others. Andrea is an Alz Author associate and was my contact as I joined
- [All the misplaced parts](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/05/08/all-the-misplaced-parts/) - It’s not all put together like it used to be.Me, I mean, and all my misplaced parts. My jumbled-up self. Stumbling a little through life, not always sure of the steps or the path, often wandering to find the right light.Bones held together by skin, all working together to do their best. But nothing is
- [Guest Post - Ayo Wilson](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/05/05/guest-post-ayo-wilson/) - I'm thrilled to welcome Ayo Wilson to my blog today! Ayo and I first met at church, she was an incredible volunteer teaching sweet preschoolers and I knew immediately that she was wonderful with children. We hadn't connected for a few years, then my sister-in-law posted about this incredible new water-bottle designed for little ones
- [All of it](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/05/05/all-of-it/) - The house looks put together as the sun goes down. I look around at all the order and remembered the times I wished for perfection, cleanliness and shiny floors. No dishes around, all the laundry done and the bathroom counters clean.I’d trade it all back now in an instant. Sticky walls, crumbs and fridge smudges.All
- [Guest Post - Allison Byxbe](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/02/28/allisonb/) - I'm so excited to welcome Allison Byxbe to the blog today! We first connected over a very special internship program with our beloved Ann Voskamp, and while we have never met in person, I sure would love to sit down and have a coffee with her! I always appreciate Allison's beautiful writing, and her passion
- [Keep on Celebrating](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/02/26/keep-on-celebrating/) - No one really talks about these days. Sometimes they come on so fast, we don’t have time to process. Other times, the slow and steady loss suspends us in a place of deferred denial. But, here we are. A collective middle group. Managing these moments, making up our long goodbyes. I think about all
- [Guest Post - Sandee MacGregor](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/01/30/guest-post-sandee-macgregor/) - I'm so excited to welcome Sandee MacGregor to the blog today! I first heard about Sandee and her writing through mutual friends, and I look forward to meeting her in person soon! She is the author of two top-selling devotionals, A Mother-Daughter Devotional and Shared Journal Experience for Psalm 119 and A Devotional for Mothers and
- [Ok with January](https://shellycalcagno.com/2024/01/29/ok-with-january/) - Instead of feeling guilty about not wanting to go out much in January, I’ve embraced it. I think it’s ok to let our souls mimic the season if it’s one that fits, like I recently heard in a beautiful @anniefdowns podcast. I’m leaning into this quieter space with gratefulness. A winter heart season is ok.
- [Guest Post - Megan Radford de Barrientos](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/12/21/guest-post-megan-radford-de-barrientos/) - I'm so excited to welcome Megan Radford de Barrientos to the blog today! I have admired Megan's work for years, she is a beautiful writer and the way she shares about her passions, always stretches me and helps me view things with a different perspective. I love her new book, The Minimal Makeup Bag,
- [Every story has a purpose](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/10/30/every-story-has-a-purpose/) - I remember the time my daughter and I watched a series that had an ending we didn't really love. I had seen it before - and I knew what was going to happen. But my daughter? She was not pleased with the outcome. I didn't want to tell her, "Welcome to life." But, welcome to
- [My New Book - The Longest Goodbye](https://shellycalcagno.com/2022/03/24/my-new-book-the-longest-goodbye/) - Friends!!! This is the most exciting blog I have ever posted! My book is now available for pre-order!!! The Longest Goodbye - A family’s hope-filled journey through Alzheimer’s. If you order now, you will get it shipped to you on the November 15th release day! A couple things….. PRE-ORDER is SUPER important to an author
- [Looking for lonely.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2022/05/16/looking-for-lonely/) - Not long ago I read a newspaper report that I haven't been able to shake. I think about it often, still wondering how it possibly could have been true. It was a heartbreaking story about a woman in Italy, who had been found two years after she passed away. (Link to story) No one even
- [Dear Me: Lines to the person I want to be](https://shellycalcagno.com/2022/08/21/12529/) - You did it. You finally embraced yourself for who you are. No more doubts. Insecurities bashed. Redeeming the hours wasted, thinking about all the things you weren’t. Finally, fully walking into all that you are. It took so much time to bash the lies and to believe the truth. To extinguish rejection that you let
- [Learning Goodbye](https://shellycalcagno.com/2022/08/21/learning-goodbye/) - We don’t often talk about these days. Sometimes they come on so fast, we have no chance to process. Other times, the slow and steady loss suspends us in a place of deferred denial. But, here we are. So many of us. Managing these moments, making up our long goodbyes. I think about all the
- [Learning to Grieve](https://shellycalcagno.com/2022/10/15/learning-to-grieve/) - It’s been two Fridays since I last saw her, since we said our goodbyes. It’s been one Friday since we all gathered together to celebrate her, and I wonder if I forevermore will mark my life by Fridays. No one teaches you how to grieve, and I’ve never done this before. I felt the loss
- [Book Release - The Longest Goodbye](https://shellycalcagno.com/2022/11/17/book-release-the-longest-goodbye/) - It's been a really beautiful week, as my book The Longest Goodbye has launched into the world. I've worked for the last 10 years at getting published, after my first book Tini's Tangles. If you had told me that I would be writing a book about losing my mom, even 3 years ago, I
- [The year my mom died.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2022/12/31/the-year-my-mom-died/) - Earlier this year, Jeanette McCurdy released a book called, "I'm Glad My Mom Died." I spent many an evening watching her as Sam on ICarly when my kids were in their prime elementary age. (I still know all the episodes!) The book is about her journey as a child-actor and eventually her time on
- [Learning to let go...](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/01/09/learning-to-let-go/) - We snuck out on Winter break, myself and my 2 sweet kids, for a late-night walk around the neighbourhood with sparkling lights glistening all around us, welcoming us down the streets. Walked like we’ve done our whole lives together. The same, but different all at once. Like nothing has changed, but everything has changed. I'm
- [Becoming](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/03/06/becoming/) - It seems like becoming should have an ending. Do you suddenly become? Do you arrive? Are you ever done? Maybe no one becomes. Maybe we all just keep on becoming. Growing from one thing to the next. And just when you think maybe you’ve arrived. You realize that there’s still so much more to your
- [Don't let your dreams expire](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/08/30/dont-let-your-dreams-expire/) - There was this day recently that I got lost going to visit my family in my HOMETOWN. For REAL. I have lived in the area for the past 20 years but I missed my turn and I didn’t even realize it. Why you ask? I was daydreaming. It's that time of year that I likely
- [Guest Post - Dan Barber](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/09/07/guest-post-dan-barber/) - I'm so excited to welcome Dan Barber to the blog today! Dan and I worked together in ministry about 15 years ago and we have kept in touch over the years and encouraged each other on our writing journeys! Dan is an author, life coach, entrepreneur, husband, father, and grandpa. With years of business, pastoral
- [When you feel lost and need an old Taylor Swift sweatshirt](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/05/29/when-you-feel-lost-and-need-an-old-taylor-swift-sweatshirt/) - It’s an old sweatshirt, with a faded picture of Taylor Swift on the front, and I’ve worn it almost everyday for the last 3 weeks. It’s been one month to the day since my girl married her sweetheart and waved goodbye in her beautiful white dress, looking back while looking ahead, ready to start her
- [A year without a Mom](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/09/16/a-year-without-a-mom/) - It happened exactly 365 days ago. A morning that began normal at work, ending 10 hours later with me holding her hand, as she slipped into heaven to my quiet whispers of Psalm 23. One morning I had a mom, the next morning I didn't. It's still hard for me to wrap my brain around
- [Guest Post - Caitlin M. Smith](https://shellycalcagno.com/2023/09/18/guest-post-caitlin-m-smith/) - I'm excited to welcome Caitlin M. Smith to the blog today. I connected with her last year when we both were in the process of releasing our books. Her brand-new release this week, called "Where's my change" looks amazing - especially for those engaged in the world of business and customer service. Caitlin graduated
- [A letter to my son, who didn't clean out his room before he moved out forever.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/10/18/a-letter-to-my-son-who-didnt-clean-out-his-room-before-he-moved-out-forever/) - Dear Son, It's been a month now since you married the girl of your dreams, and moved out for good to start your own life. You know how happy I am for you, and how much I love you. I won't lie, I'm still getting used to you being gone, and most days I miss
- [On growing older.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/07/27/on-growing-older/) - So. It's almost here. My BIG birthday, in just a couple weeks. How significant you ask? How big exactly? It's massive, really. And in preparation - I have been reading up on the best collagen to help keep my skin elastic-like, searching for the perfect arched sandal all summer that won't make my feet hurt,
- [The middle of joy & pain](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/07/12/in-the-middle-of-joy-pain/) - Somedays I close my eyes and I'm standing on a thin and shaky wire. With one wrong lean or step either way, I might come tumbling down. I remember being a little girl at the circus, under the big top tent, watching the tightrope walker put on a show. I hold my breath and shovel
- [Life from dark places](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/05/21/life-from-dark-places/) - For years, I have loved to have a little garden in the backyard. It's nothing super impressive, but it's a fun summer hobby and really good for my mental health. (I also secretly want to be a farmer, so I live the little backyard farm dream for a couple months) During the pandemic last year,
- [But, there's grace.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/04/22/but-theres-grace/) - Grace. It feels like we all need a little more of it. Don’t you think? Deep breaths. Room to allow things to be. There's a pressure to get everything right, make the best decisions possible, and have life figured out - in the most challenging days most of us have ever seen. But, there's grace.
- [Don't stop becoming](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/03/15/dont-stop-becoming/) - I have a big birthday coming up this year. I won't tell you the number, because there is no way you would EVER think that I could possible be THAT OLD. But here we are. I used to bristle a little on the inside when I thought about the impending arrival of this year's birthday.
- [Living Rhythm Life](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/03/03/living-rhythm-life/) - I used to rebel against anything that had too much structure, process or system. I was always more of a free-wheeling, fly by the seat of my pants, kinda girl. (what does that even mean, to fly by the seat of your pants?) Now my life is largely defined by things I do consistently, and on
- [When you wonder if you're making progress](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/02/18/when-you-wonder-if-youre-making-progress/) - While I wouldn't call myself a planner by nature, (hello - call me and I'll be ready to go in 10 minutes if you have a fun outing idea!) I do think a lot about where things are headed, and where life is going. This has been a hard year for life plans. Almost
- [Find your little, and love your small](https://shellycalcagno.com/2021/01/06/find-your-little-and-love-your-small/) - I recently drove by the public school in our neighbourhood and I saw a huge group of kindergarten students all gathered at the fence in their play area. I was wondering what could be going down in the schoolyard that could possibly be causing so much excitement. I noticed that they were all standing with
- [A simple and sweet Christmas](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/11/30/asimpleandsweetchristmas/) - It's December. I mean, the tree is up so that's good. But, work is busy, life is very complicated, the world could go back into lockdown at any moment, and I usually need to go to bed by 9:30 each night in order to function as a human. It's been the weirdest year of
- [Guest Post - Danielle Macaulay, Author, The Get Along Guide](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/09/21/guest-post-danielle-macaulay-author-the-get-along-guide/) - I'm excited to welcome Danielle Macaulay to the blog today. She's an author, speaker, tv host and all around amazing human! I love her website http://www.frommilktomeat.com and highly recommend her tomato soup recipe! She has a new book coming out today called, "The Get Along Guide Bible Study." I really appreciate the message she shares with women
- [Happy Fall New Year.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/09/07/happy-fall-new-year/) - In case you haven’t looked at Instagram or Facebook in the last couple days – a new season is approaching. (Cue the cozy hoodies and pumpkin spice everything please!) I think everyone will agree that this has been the strangest summer in history. For me, I went back to work in July after the pandemic
- [Fear isn't your escape plan](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/07/29/fear-isnt-your-escape-plan/) - I was remembering a weekend last year that I was speaking out of town. The weather forecast looked sketchy for the day that I was supposed to go, so I got a little nervous since I'm a bad weather-driving-chicken. I decided to leave the night before in case the freak storm happened, and stay in
- [No time is ever wasted](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/07/16/no-time-is-ever-wasted/) - I remember meeting up with a friend awhile back- just for a few minutes in passing and during our short conversation about change, transitions and life she said something really profound that I have been thinking about ever since. No time is ever wasted. She dropped a truth bomb on me. It's a little odd
- [Don't let rejection win](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/06/16/dont-let-rejection-win/) - It feels like the little sting you get pulling a big prickly weed out of the garden, with cheap dollar store gloves. Other times it comes as a deep down pain. Your heart dropping 3 stories in a free fall that lands somewhere in your gut. It’s buried deep. It rises fast. The seed of rejection. Trying to
- [A letter to younger me.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/05/25/a-letter-to-younger-me/) - Dear younger me, I've done a lot of reflecting lately. 10 weeks of a world-wide pandemic tends to cause one to think about life. (Note: You will get through the lockdown, it will feel hard at first - then become a new, weird, normal way of life.) Older me has learned a lot. If I could
- [When you can't imagine the future](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/04/28/when-you-cant-imagine-the-future/) - Every single spring (literally, every single one) I'm so annoyed at myself that I never planted any tulips or daffodils the fall before. I drive down all the Niagara country roads looking like they have been sprinkled with flower confetti, making the world look so pretty and party-ready and I say to myself, "THIS FALL
- [Purpose in the pears, and how to grow in this season.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/04/21/purpose-in-the-pears-and-how-to-grow-in-this-season/) - There's an old pear orchard a couple streets over from our house. It's over-grown and run down, and obviously has been neglected for years. To be honest, it's a little creepy-looking and I wouldn't walk through it, even during the day. The trees look like they should be in a Halloween movie, and each summer
- [Peace over Panic](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/04/13/peace-over-panic/) - I've had one panic attack in my lifetime. It was this past summer, after I found out about my biological family. I woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air and thinking I was going to die. I couldn't breathe and I was sure I was having a heart attack (I wasn't).
- [Our Hope](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/04/06/our-hope/) - If I'm really honest, there are many things about life that I don't understand. I've seen people I love struggle and suffer, I've watched families go through unspeakable pain, and had a front row seat to tragedy and heart-breaking loss. If you were to ask me why God let these things happen, I wouldn't have
- [Canada has been so good to us. #glorious #free #hope](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/03/22/canada-has-been-so-good-to-us-glorious-free-hope/) - The very first time I was ever published was in a 2007 Canadian Living Magazine. It was an article called, "It's My Party." (I'd share the link, but I'm not sure magazines were even online then) It was a sweet little story about my son Noah. I had asked him what theme he'd like for
- [When you want the world for your kids.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/03/11/when-you-want-the-world-for-your-kids/) - It wasn't really that long ago when there were toys strewn across the house, peanut-free lunches to be made, Disney channel shows to be watched and trips to Dollerama for "just 3 things." It wasn't that long ago. Most of the time I'm stuck in the mom-time-capsule of the past, wondering if I'm weird because
- [Stop saying sorry.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/03/03/stop-saying-sorry/) - I'm pretty sure when my parents taught me as a young child to apologize, they didn't mean for me to say sorry for everything I do in my life. I apologize all the time. Maybe a million times a day. Sorry to inconvenience you. Sorry that I had to change something. Sorry you
- [Shut off the spotlight.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/02/17/just-be/) - Results. I like to see them, and I like to see them now. That's why last week the quilt on our bed was a little damp after coming out of the laundry, the banana bread is often slightly undercooked and my nails get smudged shortly after polish is applied. I want the final outcome
- [Don't worry about tomorrow.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/02/06/dont-worry-about-tomorrow/) - Sometimes I like to worry about everything in the world at the same time. Anything can happen. And isn't it better to think about every possible scenario in your life, obsess about it, and spend most of your time worrying? No. No it isn't. Trust me. I know. I like to think about the future.
- [How to get things done, and not be a puppy.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2020/01/21/how-to-get-things-done-and-not-be-a-puppy/) - Usually new is where it’s at for me. I love change and grabbing onto the next fresh and shiny adventure. Hi! I’m an enneagram 7, but a quieter one that doesn't like to be the centre of attention at parties. Basically, I'm like a pack of puppies. One minute out in a field, running and chasing
- [The days in between.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/12/30/the-days-in-between/) - It's that time again. Downloading the app to see my 2019 #bestnine pictures from Instagram. (I'm a bit of a sucker for stuff like that.) The results are very Hannah-centred this year (sorry the rest of you, she had lots going on!) and as I look back and reflect - I am amazed and
- [Christmas is not in control.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/12/03/christmas-is-not-in-control/) - It's December 3rd and I've basically done nothing for Christmas. I mean, the tree is up so that's good. But no baking has been executed, no gifts have been bought and I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to deep clean the bathrooms in the next 20 days. Work is busy, life is
- [Be kind, to yourself.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/11/15/be-kind-to-yourself/) - I made a promise to myself when I became a mom that I would not pass my insecurities on to my children. I always heard that kids would become what they saw in their parents, and I wanted to present a positive outlook in how I regarded myself, so that they would do the same.
- [When you need to stop wearing pain.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/11/08/when-you-need-to-stop-wearing-pain/) - I loved that place. Our old house that told many stories through all the creaks, secret doors and peeling layers of wallpaper. The perfect house for me and my imagination. My favourite spot was the treehouse. I'd always wanted a secret lair surrounded by branches. I'd keep my brothers out, and I'd retreat with my
- [Love the best you can.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/10/25/love-the-best-you-can/) - Three years ago I took a wonderful trip with my mom to Newfoundland. I knew that her health wasn't good, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to create some special moments together. It was everything I had hoped for. Walks down the lane and around the cove, dancing in her childhood home, Newfie meals
- [So many roads.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/10/09/so-many-roads/) - Sometimes I like to visit places where I used to live and drive down roads that have meaning to me. I actually have a weird connection to roads, and could tell you all my favourites ones. (I have them rated, and they change depending on the seasons.) Recently, I took one of my favourite routes
- [September means go](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/09/05/september-means-go/) - In case you haven’t looked at Instagram or Facebook in the last couple days – it’s a new season. (Cue the cozy hoodies and pumpkin lattes please!) To be honest, summer was a blur this year. In 4 months I went through the most change I've ever faced in my life. Left a job. Grew
- [When it's hard to see clear.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/08/27/when-its-hard-to-see-clear/) - It takes a good amount of effort for me to see clearly on a regular basis. It's likely time for transition lenses, but for now I have 6 different eye settings to help me function. Contacts. Contacts with reading glasses. Glasses with no contacts, but I can't see the tv. Sunglasses for contacts. Prescription sunglasses
- [My "Anti-Bucket-List" Summer](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/07/18/my-anti-bucket-list-summer/) - When our kids were little, each summer we would put together a "summer bucket list" filled with all the hopes and dreams of starry-eyed children and their parents as school let out in June. We'd write out the list and then tear it apart, and fold each piece and put it into a bright bucket
- [The day I learned who I am](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/07/09/the-day-i-learned-who-i-am/) - "We want to know what we are." Words spoken to me by my son who is slightly obsessed with genealogy and our family tree. Being adopted, my biological background has always been a mystery to me and something my kids wanted to know about. I could understand them being curious about the pieces of me that
- [Simple Summer Joys](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/06/18/simple-summer-joys/) - In what often feels like an over-complicated life, the season of summer is one that I long for all year. I realized today (with a little bit of shock) that school ends this week, and we have two prime months to make the most of the wonderful warm days ahead of us. Don't feel bad
- [When rejection tries to take you down.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/05/14/when-rejection-tries-to-take-you-down/) - It feels like the little sting you get pulling a big prickly weed out of the garden with cheap dollar store gloves. Other times it comes as a deep down pang. Your heart dropping 3 stories in a free fall that lands somewhere in your gut. It’s buried deep. It rises fast. The seed of rejection.
- [What I didn't know about leadership](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/05/03/what-i-didnt-know-about-leadership/) - I've decided to write about some things that I thought I knew, but really I didn't. I began recently with What I didn't know about Parenting and now I'm moving onto another important part of my life. Leadership. Leadership is critical for many people, and it's an area that I'm always developing personally and learning more about.
- [When waiting feels hard.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/04/23/when-waiting-feels-hard/) - I'm not very good at waiting. I always take things out of the oven too soon, I occasionally wear damp jeans because the dryer cycle is always longer than I like and just the other night I put the steaming dishes away from the dishwasher before they were completely cooled down. (I slightly scorched my
- [What I Didn't Know About Parenting.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/04/09/what-i-didnt-know-about-parenting/) - Do you ever wish that you knew things before, that might have helped you now? Or looked back and thought if you knew what you knew now, you might have done things differently then? Too confusing? This past weekend, I taught a session at a conference about things I wish I had known as a
- [What to do when your voice shakes.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/04/01/what-to-do-when-your-voice-shakes/) - A few weeks ago, I was invited to do something I had never done before that involved some minimal speaking. My first instinct was to say no, because I'm a big chicken-scardy-cat that way, but before I could overthink it and come up with 100 reasons why I wasn't qualified or the right person, I
- [Do your work. How to be faithful and get things done.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/03/18/do-your-work-how-to-be-faithful-and-get-things-done/) - Have you ever noticed the attention span of a puppy? One minute out in a field, running and chasing a ball having the best adventure of life. Then, a butterfly lazily flutters by, and the puppy is off on its next amazing quest. I mean chasing a butterfly is pretty awesome. Oh, look there's a
- [Hope in abandoned places.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/03/05/hope-in-abandoned-places/) - This morning when I got up I made a nice cup of coffee and scrolled through my social media. Almost immediately, I noticed a Facebook group that was all about abandoned places - homes, businesses, farms that all had been left behind. Most in ruins and mess. Took me one second to click on that
- [Kick out fear](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/02/26/kick-out-fear/) - A couple weeks ago I was speaking out of town and the weather forecast looked a little sketchy for the day that I was supposed to make my trip. Being the snow-driving-chicken that I am, I decided to go the night before and stay in a hotel to avoid a stressful morning. Normally, staying in
- [When marriage feels hard.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/02/12/when-marriage-feels-hard/) - I've never written a blog about marriage. Ever. I've been married 22 years. I have a great husband and I love him dearly. But I've never written about our relationship. Why? Marriage is complicated. There are also people I care about who are hurting and their marriage journey has been difficult, and I want to be sensitive
- [A grace-filled mess.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/02/04/a-grace-filled-mess/) - Monday. A busy week ahead, full of lots of things that need to get done. In the middle of it all is me. Me and my mess. I didn’t get groceries today. It was my day off so I should have done some work, but I had a nap. There are mysterious crumbs in my
- [Don't wear the pain of your past.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/01/25/dont-wear-the-pain-of-your-past/) - I loved that place. Our old house that told many stories through all its creaks, secret doors and peeling layers of wallpaper. A little bit scary, but mostly awesome. The perfect house for me and my imagination. My favourite spot was the treehouse. I'd always wanted a secret lair surrounded by branches. I'd keep my
- [How Marie Kondo inspired me to clean the closet, and then work on my heart.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/01/10/how-marie-kondo-inspired-me-to-clean-up-my-closet-and-work-on-my-heart/) - There's been a ton of buzz the last couple weeks about a new show on Netflix called Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. When the house felt relatively clean and I had straight vacuum lines in the carpet, I thought it was time to give it a watch and see what all the hype was about.
- [My Worst Nine](https://shellycalcagno.com/2019/01/02/my-worst-nine/) - I spent some time on New Year's Day looking at all the wonderful collages of everyone's #bestnine memories. Some clever app developer, putting together all of our best liked moments in one perfectly symmetric picture. Brilliant! We hold our breath to see what comes out, and "poof!" we have a collection of the best parts
- [Don't pick me last.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/11/27/dont-pick-me-last/) - I was watching a children’s cooking show on TV recently that required Captains to pick teams. I realized that I was feeling a lot of angst as this played out. Like heart-thumping stress, a little excessive for a cupcake competition. I realized that I HATE watching when teams are being picked. I have a physical reaction.
- [Stop waiting for perfect](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/12/18/stop-waiting-for-perfect/) - There's this list in my mind of goals that are really important to me. It's almost the end of another year so I'm in full assessment mode. While I'm not quite structured enough to map out a 5-year plan, I can tell you without hesitation the top 3 or 4 things that I want to
- [When you need to gift forgiveness.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/12/04/when-you-need-to-gift-forgiveness/) - We recently had the first snowfall of the year and it was the picture of perfection. A glistening white blanket that covered the streets and lawns. Not a blemish in site. I could just hold my breath and watch in wonder. If it stayed that way forever it would make me happy, The perfectly captured view
- [Knowing what you're not.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/11/21/knowing-what-youre-not/) - I saw a post on social media recently that made me want to make a life change. This happens a lot. I see something that looks amazing, and I think, "I need to be that." Sometimes I even try. But usually, I just end up feeling inadequate and perhaps a little ridiculous. (ie. homemade-boho-jewellery-hairbow-maker) I've
- [DIY DEVO - Christmas Sample - Kid's Version!](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/11/17/diy-devo-christmas-sample-kids-version/) - Instructions – Read over the devotional below. Get creative and do the project! DIY DEVO – Light Shines Bright Items needed - String of Christmas Lights When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of
- [DIY DEVO Christmas Sample - Light Shines Bright](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/11/12/diy-devo-christmas-sample-light-shines-bright/) - Instructions - Read over the devotional below. Reflect on the questions. If you are doing this as a small group or with friends, then discuss together. Get creative and make the project! DIY DEVO - Light Shines Bright When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever
- [Self-Care and a bowl of soup.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/11/06/self-care-and-a-bowl-of-soup/) - A couple weeks ago it was national "Self-Care" day. I was in the middle of a crisis and I remember noticing it, and thinking that if anything was an illusion - then a day to take care of myself was certainly it. Do we even have time for self-care? What is self-care anyway? I thought
- [We can do hard things](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/10/29/we-can-do-hard-things-2/) - Until recently, the scope of hard things in my life has been managable. Like most, I've been through rough and painful seasons and challenging situations and struggles. Life is never perfect. There is always something to navigate through, and by grace we've always found our way. But lately. There's been a lot of hard things. I
- [You are my mom, and you are good.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/10/17/you-are-my-mom-and-you-are-good/) - A long time ago, there was a young teenager. Likely scared, in a really hard situation. Without many options. She made a choice. She couldn't keep me, so she did what she knew was best. I've never seen her, I've never uttered her name. She could walk by me on the street and I wouldn't
- [Guest Post - Compassion Canada {International Day of the Girl}](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/10/11/guest-post-compassion-canada-international-day-of-the-girl/) - October 11th is International Day of the Girl. I'm honoured to share this guest post from Misty Ropp of Compassion Canada. Would you join us? By Misty Ropp, Compassion Canada As a woman who loves Jesus, I have a deep desire to make a difference in this world. But in the face of great
- [Permission for more.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/10/09/you-have-permission-for-more/) - I’m not very good at measuring. I don’t sew, I don’t participate in major home renovations or construction. I can get by with baking but even that can go downhill quickly. I’m just not good with precision, I’m more of a guesser. Numbers are just so annoying, they confuse me with the way they all have to
- [A letter to my younger self.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/09/26/a-letter-to-my-younger-self/) - Dear younger me, A few words of wisdom from the future. Even though there is growing to be done in the journey, I do wish I could have shared some of these things with you. Older me has learned a lot. If there is anything keeping you up at night, go and deal with it right
- [How to be kind to yourself.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/09/17/how-to-be-kind-to-yourself/) - I made a commitment to myself when I became a mom that I would not pass on my insecurities to my children. That all the struggles and self-esteem issues I faced most of my life would be kept to myself. I always heard that kids would become what they saw in their parents, and I
- [When envy tries to take you down.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/09/11/when-envy-tries-to-take-you-down/) - As a child growing up in the woods of Canada, it wasn't bears or wolves that we were told to look out for - although that would have been prudent. It was the equally terrifying yet silent enemy known as Poison Ivy. The dangerous plant, that if you touched it would spread to your ENTIRE
- [3 ways to launch into September New Year.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/09/04/3-ways-to-launch-into-september-new-year/) - In case you haven't looked at Instagram or Facebook in the last couple days - it's a new season! Judging by most of the posts I've seen, Fall is a definite favourite. (PSL anyone?) I love Fall too. Not just because I can soon wear my long brown boots, cozy sweaters and go apple-picking -
- [When you think your dreams have expired.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/08/27/when-you-think-your-dreams-have-expired/) - There was this day that I got lost on my way to work. For REAL. I drive the same way each and every day. I also have lived in the area for the past 20 years but I missed my turn and I didn't even realize it. Why you ask? I was daydreaming. This is
- [When friendship feels hard.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/08/15/when-friendship-feels-hard/) - It's almost the end of summer and usually once or twice a day I feel overwhelmed with guilt that I haven't had anyone over to our house. Since April. No one. You need to understand that I love to have celebrations and get togethers. I have cupboards full of party supplies, adorable chalkboard signs and
- [Stay on your road.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/08/08/stay-on-your-road/) - There's been construction happening all summer along the roads that I drive everyday to work. As they resurface the road, it seems like each week I come across a part of the lane that is half paved, and half rough. It's really hard to drive on because one wheel of my car is on a smooth surface and
- [I want to be a better me.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/06/21/i-want-to-be-a-better-me/) - Tonight I escaped away to one of my favourite places - my parent's cottage. I had some work to do, and it's been a crazy couple weeks and I just wanted to be alone for a little while. Alone time is good time for me. It's thinking time and it's seeking time. I'm so thankful
- [Life in words](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/07/14/life-in-words/) - A really strange thing has happened to me lately. I've started to look at life around me in words. Maybe because I am living in complete chaos right now at home and at work (good thing I like chaos) and my world is spinning around at warp speed. But something unusual has happened. I can't
- [Blooming in Unexpected Places](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/07/29/let-the-unexpected-bloom/) - I always love when we turn down a road that I have never gone down before. I get bored sometimes. I want to go a new way. Then I see the wildflowers blooming all over the sides of the roads. Wherever I go. I love the new roads more than ever. They are like summer rainbows
- [An oddly inspiring royalty cheque.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/08/21/an-oddly-inspiring-royalty-cheque/) - I've been thinking about dreams. They are hard work. But, I don't care. A couple of weeks ago, I got a royalty cheque in the mail. I self-published my book but I did it though a company which allows for online sales through all the major bookstores, etc. So that means I get a quarterly
- [No one sitting alone.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/09/05/no-one-sitting-alone/) - Our family recently moved, so this week of back to school has been a challenging one. I'm usually a bit of a mom mess when school starts anyway, so dropping my kids off to a new location and watching them tentatively try to find their place in a different setting has been hard. Change is hard.
- [Beauty lives here](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/09/20/beauty-lives-here/) - I am on a new quest right now, and that quest is to find beauty. I don't mean a perfect face, a huge mansion on a sprawling estate or a shiny new car that drives down the street. I am looking for the unexpected type of beauty. A beauty that you find in things that
- [Living Chapters. Blank Journals.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/10/15/living-chapters-blank-journals/) - I am completely addicted to journals and blank pieces of paper. Right now, on my desk are 6 journals, I could easily find about 5 more in 10 minutes. There is something about a blank page that appeal to my very core. I'm that back to school shopper that stocks up on paper and then likes
- [Oprah and other life lessons this year.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/10/21/oprah-and-other-life-lessons-this-year/) - A year ago I saw one of my life long dreams realized. I published my first children's book. You have to understand that for a girl who lived her life in books this was a significant moment for me. The day when I saw the first pages of my story on a computer screen -
- [Influencer Series - THE "MOM-FRIEND"](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/10/29/influencer-series-the-mom-friend/) - I am convinced more and more that each person needs a variety of voices that speak into their life. As people who live in community with each other, what better resources do we have than one another? I am pretty passionate about this, I think about it all the time as I study mentoring and influence
- [Dear Mayor Ford. A letter from a mom.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/11/05/dear-mayor-ford-a-letter-from-a-mom/) - Dear Mayor Ford This morning as I sit and drink my coffee I notice that my online news feed is filled with another story, the next chapter in this ongoing saga. Another storm. I'm no political analyst, I don't understand everything about government. My twitter bio says that I am a mom, wife, leader and friend. That
- [Get some grown-up shoes, and other things I'll never do.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/11/12/get-some-grown-up-shoes-and-other-things-ill-never-do/) - I've never thought much about whimsy. In fact until a couple of weeks ago, I had never thought anyone else had either. Then I started reading LOVE DOES by Bob Goff. I haven't read everything in the world, but I know that I have never read about whimsy. I especially have never read about people
- [Embracing courage](https://shellycalcagno.com/2013/12/30/embracing-courage/) - It's hard to believe that another year has come to an end. This year, I find myself in a very different place than at the start of 2013. New house, new town, new job. I've even had to say farewell to my old, memory-filled, faithful (but not reliable) van. There has been so much change in
- [Sometimes, we forget to look.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/01/07/sometimes-we-forget-to-look/) - I was going through an old box today, looking for a pen and I came across a journal from last year. At the time, I felt that I was supposed to take a month and write down one thought each day. It could be something that inspired me or something I felt was being shown
- [Who doesn't love a selfie?](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/01/15/who-doesnt-love-a-selfie/) - I love seeing what words get added to the dictionary each year. It's interesting to see how culture can have such an affect on our language. To think that new words come into existence simply because of trends is quite fascinating. Two words that stood out to me from 2013 were "Twerk" (which I think
- [Bully Culture](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/03/05/bully-culture/) - Last week my daughter proudly wore pink to school for “Pink Day” and participated in a successful anti-bullying campaign that takes place across our nation. Her school board was tweeting pictures all day of students pledging to take a stand against the mistreatment of others. I love that they did that. It’s so important and
- [Learning to say yes...](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/03/18/she-said-yes/) - Sometimes if I close my eyes really tight, I can take myself back to that time. That precious, precious time. I can feel them in my arms. I can imagine the light pressure of a little head resting on my shoulder and the delicious smell of baby powder and soap. My little babies. So completely oblivious
- [I want to throw a brick at being inspired.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/04/09/i-want-to-throw-a-brick-at-being-inspired/) - I usually read a couple inspirational quotes every day. I love words and the power of language and the ability they have to speak into my heart often when I need it the most. I could give you a list of leaders, experts and friends whose words impact me on a regular basis. If their
- [Don't lose your ideas in the wind....](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/05/16/dont-lose-your-ideas-in-the-wind/) - Where are your ideas born? I realized the other day that I get some of my best ideas.....are you ready....while I am blow drying my hair. Maybe it's the dull roar of the motor. Or my hair waving in the electrical fake wind. But it's like the epicentre of thought for me. I might have to start
- [Shunderwear.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/06/10/shunderwear/) - Last week my family spent a glorious day at a sporting event in Toronto. The weather was beautiful and I felt like we kicked off summer in style. People everywhere were out together enjoying the new summer season. With summer, comes summer fashion. This time of year, that fashion emerges in full force. We collectively shed
- [Happy Father's Day to my Dad. Thanks for locking the doors. #adoptionisbeautiful](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/06/13/happy-fathers-day-to-my-dad-thanks-for-locking-the-doors-adoptionisbeautiful/) - I was adopted when I was 6 weeks old. I don't have a frame of reference of life without my adoptive parents. I spent my first 6 weeks in foster care, which is like the prologue to the story of my life. A prologue sets the story, gives the background. It's not THE story, but explains WHY the story occurred.
- [The Princess and her Blue Striped Shirt](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/06/17/2011/) - I read an article this morning in the Huffington Post about Princess Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. Apparently, she has been seen wearing the same shirt 5 times in public. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/06/16/kate-middleton-prince-george_n_5498491.html?utm_hp_ref=tw Shocking. Imagine, a princess has a favourite shirt. I'd love to invite the Huffington Post over to my closet. I can show them all
- [Dear Facebook Quizzes. I can't trust you anymore.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/06/27/dear-facebook-quizzes-i-cant-trust-you-anymore/) - Dear Facebook Quizzes I really try to resist you. I do. But it's just so captivating to find out more about myself. Until I met you, I never knew that I should live in the city of France. (Here I am trying to be happy in a little Canadian country town) I didn't know what flower
- [Getting a little Chalkboard DIY this summer...](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/07/13/getting-a-little-chalkboard-diy-this-summer/) - I love DIY. I really don't have many art skills, but I like to find fun and easy ideas that I can manage. Sometimes I see something (on Pinterest) that I think I can do without turning my house into a disaster zone. And it has to be simple. SIMPLE is the new theme of my life! I'm pretty
- [Words. Kindness and Opinions. It all matters](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/09/05/words-kindness-and-opinions-it-all-matters/) - I love words. I think about them a lot. That sounds strange, but I could get lost in some deep thoughts about how 26 letters in the alphabet can be turned into so many amazing words. Then they become sentences and come together in our minds and we create and make stories. We speak. We write. We make things
- [My Coke bottle name...](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/09/15/my-coke-bottle-name/) - Right now I’m drinking from a Coke bottle that says Jesse. It bothers me a little bit, because my name is not Jesse. But for a brief moment, as I take a sip – I pretend that I am. It’s an exercise in imagination. I’m Jesse. I’m a home designer and I live on the
- [The Ikea talking mirror.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/10/14/the-ikea-talking-mirror/) - I heard a story on the radio this morning, and I had to look it up and see if it was true. Ikea has created a mirror that gives people compliments. Now, I'm pretty sure this is not available for purchase (at least not yet), and I think that most likely this is a clever marketing
- [A drive to my past, inspiring my future #story](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/11/02/a-drive-to-my-past-inspiring-my-future-story/) - There's a place in my childhood that I just can't escape. A charming house that I lived in when I was 10. We only lived there for 2 years, but something about it captured my imagination. I am still so captivated that I started writing a children's novel about my life in this little town.
- [The day science made sense. (well, some of it)](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/11/19/the-day-science-made-sense-well-some-of-it/) - I'm not a very science minded person, but it was pretty fascinating to read about the Rosetta probe which landed on a comet this past week. Yes, it's great for science and space exploration but what really fascinated me was the journey that came before the moment. Launched in 2004, Rosetta spent almost 10 years in
- [I'm loved by you. It's who I am. #goodfather](https://shellycalcagno.com/2014/11/24/im-loved-by-you-its-who-i-am-goodfather/) - You’re a good, good Father It’s who you are; it’s who you are. And I’m loved by you. It’s who I am; it’s who I am. We sang this worship song by Housefires at church this past weekend and those words struck so deep within me. I can’t stop singing them. It feels like a
- [I'm ok with being a snowplow.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/01/31/im-ok-with-being-a-snowplow/) - I remember when the term "helicopter parent" came out. It classified a group of parents who hovered over their children all the time. Never letting them have any space, always in view. Watching what they were doing, ready to step in and help as needed. I remember thinking (and writing) that I was ok with
- [The worst conversation I've ever had.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/02/18/the-worst-conversation-ive-ever-had/) - I had a horrible conversation this morning. It was hateful. It tore me down and attacked my capabilities. Told me that I was a joke, that I had nothing to offer and I didn't belong. That I didn't deserve anything good in my life. It left me feeling crushed, dejected and discouraged and unsure if
- [I need you Inspiration.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/03/20/i-need-you-inspiration/) - I usually read a couple inspirational quotes every day. I love words and the power of language and the ability they have to speak into my heart often when I need it the most. I could give you a list of leaders, experts and friends whose words impact me on a regular basis. If their
- [The Awkward is Real.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/03/27/the-awkward-is-real/) - I remember when my path to awkward life started. I was in grade 8 and I was getting a ride with my youth pastor and some other kids to an event. I was sitting in the back and there was a new girl with us. My pastor turned around and asked her how old she was.
- [You ARE my Mom.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/05/08/you-are-my-mom/) - My mom feelings run deep. A long time ago, there was a young mom. Likely scared, in a really hard situation. Without many options. She made a choice. She couldn't keep me, so she did what she knew was best. I've never seen her, I've never uttered her name. She could walk by me on
- [Finding the right voice](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/05/20/my-fruit-salad-voice/) - I'm having a really hard time lately finding my voice. Is it weird to be having an identity crisis at this stage of my life? I've had lots of significant changes over the last 2 years, I know at my core who I am as a person (don't worry!) but what part of me should
- [The Fine Line](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/06/01/2328/) - A few weeks ago my 14-year-old daughter was away for the weekend. This was a really great opportunity to "help" her clean out her closet. The sweet girl can't bear to part with ANYTHING. I'll spare the details but let's just say that 4 bags of garbage were disposed of. Yah, that's right, 4 BAGS! It
- [An inspiration you can feel.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/06/08/an-inspiration-you-can-feel/) - I'm getting tired of the flat screens in my life. The one-dimensional look at the world. I want to see and live life in 3D. This past weekend I was invited to share at a conference and was asked to show the women how to create an inspiration board. It was so much fun! Collecting
- [His Stunning Creation](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/06/14/his-stunning-creation/) - Before God spoke into the world It was a vast darkness A void space Empty and lifeless Then, He started to create. His amazing masterpiece Painting a beautiful world Filling it with stunning design When it was done, He sat back and rested He knew his creation was good But that wasn’t enough He knew
- [Start again.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/06/26/start-again/) - I love walking through the neighbourhood and seeing the sidewalks painted with happiness. Giant pieces of chalk used as tools to infuse colour into the streets. Children sitting on cement, illustrating their insides. Colouring where there are no lines restricting their imagination. Painting grey sidewalks into pieces of art. Spectacular display. Then, the rain comes, or
- [Staying Together](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/07/06/staying-together/) - I’m coming with you. I’m not leaving you alone. We’ve been through heartache. We’ve been through loss. There have been dark days. We are staying together. My wounded heart, understands your heart. We share a pain that is too great for others to understand. We are staying together. I could go and start over.
- [Remember the Qualifier](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/07/14/remember-the-qualifier/) - You know those judges at a sporting event? The ones that look to see if anyone starts too quickly, or cheats, or breaks the rules? Their job is to disqualify. Tell people they didn't make the cut - for whatever reason. I would be SO great at that job. I am the greatest disqualifier ever.
- [I will write. I WILL.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/08/18/i-will-write-i-will/) - All summer I have "been meaning" to do some writing. Like seriously. I have 2 books that are half done, I have 2 others that are in concept form. I have a list of blog ideas. A children's book ready for submission with a list of publishers accepting manuscripts. I have SO much writing to
- [6 random things I've learned about teenagers](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/08/21/6-random-things-ive-learned-about-teenagers/) - As I approach a new season of having two high school students in my house, I've made some interesting observations. I've tried to assess and process my thoughts in an intelligent way, but really there is no time. Honestly, I'm just trying to keep up. I'm running behind everyone, making sure that there are snacks
- [Growth is more important than fear.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/08/24/growth-is-more-important-than-fear/) - A couple of weeks ago I got asked by a young friend what is the best advice I could give, something that has made a difference in my life that I would encourage others to do. I knew right away what it was. Say yes. I remember when I was really young, and just starting
- [3 Back to School Tips from an Unorganized Mom.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/08/26/3-back-to-school-tips-from-an-unorganized-mom/) - It's back to school season again. I've had a few bouts of anxiety as I think about the carefree summer days ending. But I'm ready to pretend I am an organized person. I wouldn't say that I'm a "Type A" personality by any means. I am more of a "fly by the seat of my pants"
- [Finding Authentic](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/09/23/finding-authentic/) - There's always a big cheer, a big mantra. It goes something like this, "Follow your dreams! You can do it! The sky is the limit!" People say it to you. You believe it. You believe that they believe in you. It's all fuzzy and warm. But the cheer changes. People think what you do isn't of
- [Immeasurably More](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/10/01/immeasurably-more/) - I’m not very good at measuring. I don’t sew, I don’t participate in major home renovations or construction. I can get by with baking but even that can go downhill quickly. I’m just not good with precision, I’m more of a guesser. Numbers are just so annoying, they confuse me with the way they all have to
- [My (in)courage guest post - Life in the Middle](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/10/05/my-incourage-guest-post-life-in-the-middle/) - I'm so excited to have a guest post today on (in)courage. I love their community and the way that they connect women together! Please go check it out at http://www.incourage.me/2015/10/life-in-the-middle.html Also, sign up here to receive free daily encouragement from the writers of (in)courage, right in your inbox! http://www.incourage.me/subscribe Thank you friends!
- [My Thankful List.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/10/21/my-thankful-list/) - My favourite weekend of the year recently passed. After I polished off my annual candy apple and kettle corn popcorn, I reflected on all that I have to be thankful for. Here are a few things that came to mind - I'm thankful for the Strength that God gives me each day. He's always by my
- [Waiting for Perfect](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/10/27/waiting-for-perfect/) - Sometimes we wait for that perfect time in our life to do that thing we have always wanted to do. To go after that dream we always have had. The problem is that often perfect doesn't come - so we wait a lifetime for that one moment, yet that moment never happens. You know the
- [Someone to Follow](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/11/11/someone-to-follow/) - There are a couple of women that walk through my neighbourhood, I usually see them in the morning as I'm leaving for work. The first time I observed them, I thought they had been in a terrible fight. One of them was walking at least 5 steps ahead at a very fast pace with no signs of slowing
- [Light Shines Bright](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/12/10/light-shines-bright/) - I love sparkly things. So, it's pretty safe to assume that I get excited when we get all the Christmas lights up around our house. Light is very significant. It's one of the first things that God created in Genesis. He was about to make a beautiful world, and he knew he needed light for it
- [Joy Moments](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/12/15/joy-moments/) - The other day my friend sent me a text and asked me if I could write a blog about how to help the cranky and impatient mom. I laughed and said that yes I could. Of course I could write about that. I'm the master at crankiness, and I have impatience down to a science. It
- [2016 - Not about me](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/12/30/2016-not-about-me/) - I am one of those people who really connect with seasons, and they all represent something to me. Each one has a special feeling associated to it, and I jump in feet first with expectation. I especially love the feeling of a New Year and refocussing with anticipation. That blank chalkboard ahead of me, waiting to have something
- [My list of "No More"](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/01/09/my-list-of-no-more/) - I'm pretty good at planning things that I want to do. My magical list of dreams, wishes and goals is pretty complete. (Which I sincerely need and require to function in my life) But I've never really made a fancy list of things that I am going to STOP doing. But, what if stopping was actually what I
- [Always setting the stage](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/02/10/always-setting-the-stage/) - Every stage of my life as a parent has been like an act in a play. Just as I've gotten it together and thought that I knew what I was doing and how to follow the script, it's time to start over. Lights, camera, action! Set the stage. Again. First up, baby stage. Thinking I would never
- [What word would you be?](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/02/19/what-word-will-you-be/) - A few months ago I attended a memorial service for a family member who had passed away. While I didn't see this special woman often, when I did it was impactful and I had special memories throughout my lifetime of my interactions with her. As I sat in the service I was witness to the most
- [What's in your suitcase?](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/04/01/whats-in-your-suitcase/) - I heard this analogy a couple years ago from a leader about parenting. He said that throughout our children's lives, it's like we are packing a suitcase for them. One day, they will leave our home and move on, and they will carry with them all the things we have put into their lives. I loved
- [When you feel like you are failing.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/04/19/when-you-feel-like-you-are-failing/) - I remember when my husband and I were going on a recent vacation, by OURSELVES. As it started he casually asked me, "So, are we trying to make friends on this trip?" I looked at him in horror through my introverted eyes, "FRIENDS? Are you CRAZY? I don't go on vacation to make friends! I'm failing
- [The beauty of small](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/05/18/the-beauty-of-small/) - There's a focus in our culture that is all about pursuing big. Dream Big. Go Big. Believe Big. Live Big. There's nothing wrong with that. I have hopes, dreams and plans which all generally fall into the category of big. I've never been encouraged to think small, or imagine little so big thinking is the natural
- [Stay in your lane](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/05/25/4115/) - This week I was driving as a passenger with my father, and felt like I barely escaped with my life. Later that same day I was convinced my husband never does shoulder checks. (I would say that 80% of our marriage confrontations are the result of driving) I know he (and others) think that I am the most annoying
- [Make waiting your favourite.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/06/07/make-waiting-your-favourite/) - I'm not very good at waiting. I always take things out of the oven too soon, I occasionally wear damp jeans because the dryer cycle is always too long and just the other night I put the steaming dishes away from the dishwasher before they were completely cooled down. (I slightly scorched my fingertips!) Sometimes
- [Poison Envy](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/06/13/poison-envy/) - As a child growing up in the woods of Canada, it wasn't bears or wolves that we were told to look out for - although that would have been prudent. It was the equally terrifying yet silent enemy known as Poison Ivy. The dangerous plant, that if you touched it would spread to your
- [Making Summer Beautiful](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/06/17/making-summer-beautiful/) - I feel a little bit of pressure when June starts. After all, who doesn't want to have the most magnificent summer ever? A couple years ago we started doing a "Summer Bucket List" and while I loved it, I felt pressure to get it all done. Every time the kids pulled out an activity I'd hold
- [Home will always be waiting](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/06/24/home-will-always-be-waiting/) - My sweet boy, This week I was able to pick you up at school. Most of the time you have to walk home because I work a little too far away to make it back in time. I know that you're old enough and that the walk is good exercise, but I still miss the
- [I was invited](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/07/01/i-was-invited/) - To be honest, for most of my life I've sort of felt like a spoon in a drawer full of forks. A pair of flip-flops in a closet full of boots. The jellybean in a bowl of smarties. Something just didn't belong. And that something was usually me. It was like looking through one-way glass. I
- [So complicated.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/07/05/so-complicated/) - Sometimes things go and get complicated. Relationships change. Situations need attention. Finances shift. Family evolves. Expectations come from all sides. In the middle of all this - life keeps on speeding by. Day after day. The pressure to keep moving in the fast lane, no slow lane allowed. I just start to enjoy summer and fall
- [Just Keep Walking](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/07/15/just-keep-walking/) - A couple of weeks ago I attended my son's grade 12 graduation. I decided before the evening started that I was going to hold it together. I'm saving most of my tears, ugly cries and convulsive sobbing for September when he leaves home to attend university. I was doing SO well, I was really proud
- [The World is a Bully](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/07/20/the-world-is-a-bully/) - The world is a bully. Imagine your husband was running for political office in a very controversial campaign that dominates almost every headline. You have to give a speech, one that you know will be watched by millions. I would imagine all the beauty and confidence in the world would still make this a daunting
- [A Season of Alone](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/08/26/a-season-of-alone/) - I was at a gathering this week and after it was over, I realized that in the span of no more than 10 minutes, I had dished out exactly 8 or 9 really awkward hugs. I have written about my awkwardness before in The Awkward is Real. but this was a whole new level. I just couldn't
- [Smashing Inspiration](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/09/23/smashing-inspiration/) - I have a list of secret ambitions hidden deep down inside me. Usually I think them up while I am drying my hair. (Which is the time for me when all great ideas are born.) One of those hair-dryer inspired dreams is to make cool products with words on them. (Basically what most stores everywhere are already
- [Places of Belonging.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/10/05/places-of-belonging/) - Last week I had a moment that literally stood still for me. I was at the bedside of my darling Grandma, who I had not seen in over 10 years. Distance may have separated us but she has always been part of my heart and I love her with all I have. My greatest fear after all
- [Find your bricks](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/10/13/find-your-bricks/) - I was just a girl, walking down the lane. The lane that led from the blue house on the hill down to the water. I loved that path. It was hugged by wildflowers and a wire fence, and I was captivated by the old homes still standing that had belonged to my family in the
- [Growing in unexpected seasons.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/10/21/growing-in-unexpected-seasons/) - There are roses outside my church that I notice each year in the fall. They are a little rebellious and cheeky because in a season when they are supposed to be done, they are in full bloom and still growing. (Roses are more of a June thing in Canada) It's October, and last week as
- [Home will always be waiting](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/11/02/home-will-always-be-waiting-thekissinghand/) - There are a lot of books written for parents at every stage of life, but I don't think that I've come across anything that has quite prepared me for the transition of my first-born leaving home this fall. Granted, it's gotten better since we all hugged and cried together on his campus and then drove
- [I don't know how to be a brand](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/11/07/6549/) - I'm not really sure when the switch happened between brands being for products vs. brands representing people. But it's here now. Alive and well. People are the new products. I love a good-branded person as much as anyone else. There are hordes of people I have never met that I know all about and what
- [Life in the middle.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/11/15/life-in-the-middle/) - I have finally figured out this stage of my life. I am in the middle. Being in the middle is a little confusing. I now have some significant days behind me. I’m not “just starting out” anymore. In pretty much all areas of my life — as a parent, spouse, leader, professional — I have
- [Living in the Margin](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/11/22/living-in-the-margin/) - Margin. I remember learning to write in school and we always had to make sure we kept space at each side of the page. "You need a margin," the teacher would say. I always wondered why? Why couldn't I just write all the way to the end of the page? So I would, and I'd
- [Don't miss your moments](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/12/02/dont-miss-your-moments/) - I remember when we were kids and my dad would pull out the slide projector to show us some old pictures. We thought it was so cool as he placed the slides so carefully in the round tray and then set them on the machine. We'd all sit around and he'd click through them and we'd
- [The gifts I want for Christmas](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/12/12/the-gifts-i-want-for-christmas/) - My Christmas wishes this year are pretty boring. A stock pot, and a cheese board. (Apparently my current passions in life are soup and cheese and I'm ok with that) After numerous requests from my kids for "a list" I mentally went through each room of our house, considered my closet and honestly came to the conclusion that there
- [2017 - Love your Corner](https://shellycalcagno.com/2016/12/29/2017-love-your-corner/) - I have always found great significance in seasons. I fully embrace the one I am in, and dive into whatever is approaching. That's why I always extra-love the start of a new year. There's nothing more motivating to me than a clean slate ahead, a story waiting to be written. Even today, I am finishing up one
- [In the middle of why](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/02/18/in-the-middle-of-why/) - There's a sweet girl. She reached out in her last days. Memories of roots that ran deep, times when her heart was full and she believed. When the end was near, she called out again. She asked, "Why?" I said I didn't know. I don't understand these things. She said, "I'm scared." I held her hand.
- [Time Travelling Life.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/02/24/time-travelling-life/) - There's a candle on our kitchen table. It's supposed to hold a treasure inside so we burn and burn it every night and we look and look for the gift. At first we just enjoyed the candle but then things started to change. I've noticed that we don't care about the flame anymore that burns
- [The Biggest Misfit](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/03/04/7743/) - This place was my favourite place. The old house that told many stories through all its creaks, secret doors and peeling layers of wallpaper. A little bit scary, but mostly awesome. I'm affected by the visual and I like to imagine. This was a great house for me. My favourite spot was the treehouse. I'd always
- [Dear younger me,](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/03/11/dear-younger-me/) - Dear younger me, A few words of wisdom from the future. If there is anything keeping you up at night, go and deal with it right away. What robs you of sleep can consume your waking hours. Running away from difficult conversations and possible confrontation seems like the easier path, but it really leads to
- [Do you want to be great?](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/03/20/do-you-want-to-be-great/) - There was an informal question being posed at work a couple weeks ago. "Why do you think we desire to be great?" I had to pause a moment. I thought maybe it was a trick question. Perhaps I'll sound arrogant if I admit that I want to be great. Maybe I should say that I don't
- [Guest Post - (in)courage](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/03/22/guest-post-incourage/) - I'm so excited to share a guest post today on (in)courage. You can read it here - Sacrifice Precedes Belonging Sign up here to receive free daily notes from (in)courage, sent right to your inbox! Subscribe
- [Naturally Imperfect](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/05/02/8250/) - I have an unusual infinity right now with some produce at my local grocery store. Have you ever noticed the beautiful fruit and veggies out on display in the fresh aisle? All shiny and perfectly positioned in the right place? You're looking at the upper class. The most popular. The best looking. The most talented. They are
- [The Last Time.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/05/08/the-last-time/) - Recently on vacation, while our family was beautifully unplugged from the world, my son asked me a question that I had never considered. "Did you know the last time that you held me when I was little, would be the last time?" His words blew my mind. Made me want to cry. Inspired me to try to pick him
- [Doing the best that I can.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/05/29/doing-the-best-that-i-can/) - I'm doing the best that I can. Those seven words strung together created a little phrase that I started using in the past year. I like to put lots of pressure on myself to be Superwomen, have a perfect house, healthy meals, an immaculate lawn, make everyone around me happy and generally always be on top of every single
- [We can do hard things.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/06/06/we-can-do-hard-things/) - We can do hard things. This was a little message that I sent to a co-worker a few weeks ago. We were visiting someone at the hospital, and had taken separate cars. As we left, we realized we both had the same fear of trying to get OUT of the parking lot. You know, when you
- [What's your sentence?](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/06/13/whats-your-sentence/) - "So, what's your personal vision statement?" This was a question that one of my past mentors would ask me. He would actually ask everyone on our team, and it sometimes drove me a little crazy. I couldn't nail it down. What was I all about? It was too hard to figure out, I loved a
- [These are the best days...](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/06/29/these-are-the-best-days/) - The boy who didn't give a care in the world for trucks when he was little came home from his really grown-up job this week and told me that he was driving a cement truck that day on the highway. My heart skipped a little beat because when was a little boy allowed to go
- [My Anti-Summer Bucket List](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/07/18/my-anti-summer-bucket-list/) - A couple years ago we started a "summer bucket list" with our kids. It was pretty fun, a way to get some ideas going for the summer, letting the kids pick a slip of paper out of the bucket when we needed something to do. Of course there were always a few that I would
- [Half Life Living](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/08/08/half-life-living/) - Cake and candles. Wishes. Flames extinguished. At the end of the day, with a heart full of loved poured in, I lie in the dark and stare at the ceiling and ask the question that I ask every year in my deep places. "I wonder where things will be at this time next year. I
- [10 ways to show love, in a world filled with hate.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/08/14/10-ways-to-show-love-in-a-world-filled-with-hate/) - I've sat and wondered often over the last few days, if ordinary love-filled people can do extraordinary things in a world filled with hate. Hate that takes my breath away in a suffocating manner. Hate that makes my heart hurt and fear for the future. I wonder if a small voice of hope can be
- [Legacy and the day my shoes didn't match](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/08/23/legacy-and-the-day-my-shoes-didnt-match/) - I was having a pretty good morning. You know, I liked my outfit. I felt pretty pulled together. I even pre-planned my day and remembered to bring a lunch to work. I was ready. LET'S DO THIS. I led my first meeting for a summer program, it went well and the team seemed excited. Then,
- [All these roads.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/08/30/all-these-roads/) - We were out of town today, and made a visit to our "old" little town that we used to live in (Little towns are our fav). We took the long route because my daughter wanted to look at our old house. As we drove, I realized that all past memories, decisions and moments are connected
- [An open letter to my son. I know how to boil water.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/09/05/an-open-letter-to-my-son-i-know-how-to-boil-water/) - Dear Son, I'm so proud of you this week as you've started your 2nd year of school, living in your own place with friends. I know it's going to be an amazing experience for you. I was quite worried when we left you in your new house, because I wasn't sure if I had fully
- [Bento Box Living](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/09/11/bento-box-living/) - There are these super adorable little lunch revolution products called Bento Boxes. They keep your food in perfectly neat compartments, like a dream. Your own healthy stainless steel lunchable that can be reused over and over again, and filled with creative and culinary delights. (For unattainable ideas, visit Pinterest) I personally don't have a Bento
- [6 ways to be kind to yourself.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/09/18/6-ways-to-be-kind-to-yourself/) - I made a commitment to myself when I became a mom that I would not pass on my insecurities to my children. That all the struggles and self-esteem issues I faced most of my life would be kept to myself. I always heard that kids would become what they saw in their parents, and I
- [Her name was Grey.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/09/25/her-name-was-grey/) - It was an old house. A brick house. Her 5th house. The first time she laid her eyes on it, she was very pleased. It had many corners and cracks, and at every turn she discovered a new place to explore. Now that they had moved in and she had staked a claim to the
- [Part Two - Her name was Grey.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/10/02/part-two-her-name-was-grey/) - Grey was getting settled into her new house and had figured out her daily routine. Since it was summer, she had lots of time to explore her surroundings after she checked the chores off the list her mom made each morning. She could hardly wait to get everything done and make a run to her
- [Part Three - Her name was Grey.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/10/04/part-three-her-name-was-grey/) - Grey pulled herself out of bed. She hated today and she was not happy that it had arrived. The days of summer and hiding out with her notebook in the tree house were over. It was the first day of school. Because this was the 5th place that Grey had lived, it meant that this
- [30 Days of Walks.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/10/10/30-days-of-walks/) - It was my favourite season of falling leaves, lattes that taste like pumpkin, and trees filled with apples. I was excited for what was ahead in the next few months and I walked into work one morning in my cute boots and scarf all ready to take on fall. Little did I know what the
- [4 ways to slow down life.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/10/20/4-ways-to-slow-down-life/) - Last week I decided to do some baking on my day off. I grabbed the pile of bowls in the cupboard and instead of taking out a couple at a time, I went for the whole stack. As a result, the heavy glass one at the bottom got away from me and crashed down on
- [Remember the Qualifier.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/11/10/remember-the-qualifier-2/) - You know those judges at sporting events? The ones that look to see if anyone starts too quickly, or cheats and breaks the rules? Their job is to disqualify. To tell people they didn't make the cut - for whatever reason. I would be SO great at that job. I am the greatest disqualifier ever.
- [Waiting for perfect.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/11/15/waiting-for-perfect-2/) - There's this list in my mind of goals that are really important to me. While I'm not quite structured enough to map out a 5-year plan, I can tell you without hesitation the top 3 or 4 things that I want to accomplish in the next couple years. I think about them a lot. I
- [When the world needs a leadership lesson.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/11/21/when-the-world-needs-a-leadership-lesson/) - You only have to go to Twitter, turn on the news and read any feed of your choice to come to the conclusion that the world is in a state of disarray. In recent weeks, we've seen world leaders name-calling and threatening, learned of horrible abuses by those in powerful positions and almost daily we
- [Christmas doesn't own you.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/11/27/christmas-doesnt-own-you/) - There's always a little bit of anxiety that comes on each year when the Christmas season approaches. I feel it late November as I pull out my holiday ornament boxes, reminding myself that I committed to only add one new decoration each year. I worry a little as I plan my shopping and hope that
- [How to shine this Christmas.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/12/04/how-to-shine-this-christmas/) - Tomorrow for a Christmas picture at work, I have to decide what brings me joy. Someone already picked family, so I can't use that. (I need to be original) So, I was trying to come up with something else. Coffee is too lame, and "unique cheese boards" would make me look weird. So, I was
- [When the gift you need for Christmas is forgiveness.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2017/12/12/when-the-gift-you-need-for-christmas-is-forgiveness/) - It's the first snowfall of the year tonight and as I look outside, it's a picture of perfection. All that white pure snow, blanketing the streets and lawns. Not a blemish in site. I could just hold my breath and watch in wonder. If it stayed that way forever it would make me happy. The perfectly
- [Revealing Words.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/01/24/revealing-words/) - On a recent Netflix binge session over the holidays, I discovered a fascinating series called Manhunt : Unabomber. It's not the normal thing I'd usually watch but I thought I'd give it a try, and soon I was hooked and the binge started. (binges are ok on Christmas break with holiday chocolate by your side.)
- [Find your small](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/01/29/find-your-small/) - Today I drove by the public school in our neighbourhood and I saw a huge group of kindergarten students all gathered at the fence in their play area. I was wondering what could be going down in the schoolyard that could possibly be causing so much excitement. I noticed that they were all standing with
- [Misfit Life.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/03/04/misfit-life/) - This place was my favourite place. The old house that told many stories through all its creaks, secret doors and peeling layers of wallpaper. My favourite spot was the treehouse. I'd always wanted a secret lair surrounded by branches. I'd try to keep my brothers out, and I'd retreat with my stack of books and get
- [DO YOUR WORK](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/03/12/do-your-work/) - Have you ever noticed the attention span of a puppy? One minute out in a field, running and chasing a ball having the best adventure of life. Then, a butterfly lazily flutters by, and the puppy is off on its next amazing quest. I mean chasing a butterfly is pretty awesome. Oh, look there's a
- [Real life #follows](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/03/19/real-life-follows/) - There are a couple of women that walk through my neighbourhood, I usually see them in the morning as I'm leaving for work. The first time I observed them, I thought they had been in a terrible fight. One of them was walking at least 5 steps ahead at a very fast pace with no signs of slowing
- [We have this hope.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/04/04/we-have-this-hope/) - Watching and seeing memories fading, my heart breaking. What was life now slipping away, changing while still holding on. Walking through seasons of complication, footsteps that feel unsure. Days of loneliness and fear of isolation, questioning purpose and the future ahead. There's those days, you know. Days that don't make sense, days where you just
- [Parenting your teens without making them cringe.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/04/12/parenting-your-teens-without-making-them-cringe/) - Somewhere recently I read a post or tweet from someone wondering why there aren't many blogs about parenting teenagers. I'll tell you why. Teenagers can read. We're treading carefully. One false move and we're on the outs. And let me tell you, it's not easy to get back in. I'm one comment or tag away
- [When you don't understand why.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/05/15/when-you-dont-understand-why/) - There was a sweet girl. She reached out in her last days. Memories of roots that ran deep, times when her heart was full and she believed. When the end was near, she called out again. She asked, "Why?" I said I didn't know. I don't understand these things. She said, "I'm scared." I held her
- [Small ways to make Summer beautiful!](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/06/04/small-ways-to-make-summer-beautiful/) - I feel a little bit of pressure when June starts. After all, who doesn't want to have the most magnificent summer ever? When my kids were little we had a "Summer Bucket List" and while I loved it, I felt anxiety to get it all done. Every time the kids pulled out an activity I'd
- [All the hard things.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/06/18/all-the-hard-things/) - A little while ago my daughter had a week that was filled with challenging experiences for her. Since she and I are very similar when it comes to new things, I could understand the angst and fear she was facing. She asked me a really profound question. "Why do all the hard things happen at once?"
- [Summer Parenting Hacks](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/06/25/summer-parenting-hacks/) - I have this new summer parenting hack. It's pretty much the opposite of everything I've tried before. Gone are the chore charts, bribery and allowance strategies. (which I'm way past at this stage anyway) It's not that I have given up on my ideals, or that I'm living in denial. And I still care. I
- [Perfectly Imperfect](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/07/03/perfectly-imperfect/) - Potatoes. That's what I recently found inspiring. It's summer and I have an unusual obsession right now with produce at my local grocery store. It's all so bright and pretty. I mean, have you noticed the beautiful fruit and veggies out on display in the fresh aisle? Usually on the end, or right when you walk into
- [It's ok to want to be great.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/07/10/its-ok-to-want-to-be-great/) - Someone asked me once. "Do you want to be great?' I had to pause a moment. I thought maybe it was a trick question. Perhaps I'll sound arrogant if I admit that I want to be great. Maybe I should say that I don't care about being great, but that I just want to be a
- [How to slow down life.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/07/18/how-to-slow-down-life/) - This week I just started to enjoy summer after a couple busy weeks at work. As I finally rested on the beach, my daughter declared that she'd like to start her back-to-school shopping. I tried not to give her the evil eye, but this is the story of my life. Every year I just start
- [The lie of not enough.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/07/25/the-lie-of-not-enough/) - There’s a place I sometimes go that is not good for me. Where I am not my best, where I do not shine. This place causes me to retreat and withdrawal. It's a dangerous journey, wandering down a dark and thorny path to the land of “I’m not.” When I’m in this place, I start to
- [All the days are the best days.](https://shellycalcagno.com/2018/05/23/all-the-days-are-the-best-days/) - The boy who didn't give a care in the world for trucks when he was little came home from his really grown-up job and told me that he was driving a cement truck that day on the highway. My heart skipped a little beat because when was a little boy allowed to go and do
- [Blooming in Unexpected Places](https://shellycalcagno.com/2015/07/14/blooming-in-unexpected-places/)
- [Sparkle&Sass - Book Release Party!](https://shellycalcagno.com/2012/09/16/book-release-time/) - It's almost time for the world to meet Tini of Tini's Tangles! Tini is based on my own hair raising experiences with my sweet daughter, who would turn into a completely different child anytime I took out a hairbrush! This book is inspired by her - and I am sure that many other parents can
- [Welcome to Sparkle&Sass](https://shellycalcagno.com/2010/08/21/hello-world-2/) - Welcome to Sparkle&Sass I'm pretty ordinary. I'm a mom. wife. daughter. sister. friend. leader, coffee drinker. And I always try to live my life with passion and pursuit of things my heart loves. My blog will take you along with me on a journey as I begin some new adventures in my life. I am

## Pages

- [Coaching](https://shellycalcagno.com/coaching/) - Looking for a writing coach? I’ve always loved everything about the publishing process! Having written and published four books - three self-published and the other through a traditional publisher - I’ve picked up a lot of valuable experience and insights along the way. (I even won an award for my second book and it was
- [Books](https://shellycalcagno.com/books/) - The Longest Goodbye – A Family’s Hope-Filled Journey through Alzheimer’s is my second book. The Longest Goodbye encourages readers to remember the ones they love while they are still here and to intentionally celebrate and live through the pain and hard days. It’s filled with tears, hope, and bitter-sweet moments all held together by the beautiful
- [Writing](https://shellycalcagno.com/writing/) - From ADDO Worldwide, Bible League of Canada, 100 Huntley Street, to Hope and Healing International, and The News Forum - I have worked with different organizations to help create, produce and write content for both print and video production. I specialize in curriculum development, book manuscript mapping, script writing and content for social media and
- [Speaking](https://shellycalcagno.com/speaking/) - I'd love to come and share with your group or organization about my newest book, "The Longest Goodbye." There are so many families watching loved ones suffer with Alzheimer's Disease. My story is one of both pain, and hope. I believe I have a message and perspective that will help those on this journey, and
- [Contact Shelly](https://shellycalcagno.com/contact-shelly/) - Thank you so much for visiting my website. I’d love to connect! Tell me more about yourself below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
- [About Shelly](https://shellycalcagno.com/about-shelly/) - Hi! I’m Shelly. I love people, Jesus, sprinkles, pretty flowers and anything that looks happy and fun. My favourite thing to do is spend time with my family and drink coffee on the beach. I especially love to write. I’ve written a sweet children’s book about tangles, and a bittersweet book about saying goodbye to

## Categories

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- [#Alzheimers #EndAlz #AlzheimersAwareness #Dementia #AlzheimersDisease #MemoryLoss #AlzheimersSupport #BrainHealth #Caregiving #FightAlzheimers](https://shellycalcagno.com/tag/alzheimers-endalz-alzheimersawareness-dementia-alzheimersdisease-memoryloss-alzheimerssupport-brainhealth-caregiving-fightalzheimers/)
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