life and death « Yellow Brick Road: Your Path to Heart & Health

Loving-kindness and Compassion

By Debra Basham, on March 2, 2026

A friend forwarded a message this morning from Pax Christi USA, a movement founded in Europe at the end of World War II by Catholics who had suffered the terror and trauma of war. Quoting from the email content:

Pax Christi has opposed war and all preparations for war. We do not endorse warmaking […]

Pat

By Debra Basham, on February 18, 2026

I was awakened early this morning by the post of a friend on FaceBook and I chose to notice I was well enough rested to get up before daybreak so my fingers would have time to linger over the keyboard before the day officially begins.

Yesterday’s Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse ignited, arriving precisely […]

OCD and VPN and NOW

By Debra Basham, on February 10, 2026

Today was yet another conversation that demonstrated what has sometimes been called my OCD. The sharing was with an online group — all of us well beyond our youth! Candid talk about having documents in place, plans well articulated, and persons in place as we face what are called The Five Remembrances in Buddhism morphed […]

Happy 2026 Birthday to Me (and 15 others I know!)

By Debra Basham, on January 22, 2026

Today is my birthday. If you are willing, you may wish to reflect on my birthday post from 2018 about “Corpse Prayer” at https://scs-matters.com/YellowBrickRoad/corpse-prayer/ My birthday posts are not always maudlin, but today I post with a warning: Not For the Faint of Heart.

After having become vigilant about weight back in the Twiggy […]

Lazy Days

By Debra Basham, on January 18, 2026

The truth about living in Lazy Days is that there is not enough time…. Of course, that is not true but it is how it feels.

The days start early. What fills the moments? Thoughts of all those we love. Thoughts of you. Family in Tennessee. Family and friends in Michigan. Family and friends […]

Be an Interpreter of Every Moment

By Debra Basham, on January 1, 2026

I have since an adolescent been enamored with New Years. Stacey was likely conceived on New Years Eve in 1965. Not ever a party-goer, and almost always in bed asleep before midnight, the theme — the GOD-GIVEN gift of new beginnings — deeply resonates with my soul.

When you see that every moment is […]

A Handprint on My Heart

By Debra Basham, on December 28, 2025

Christmas Day was enjoyed at Blue House with Linda and Larry and homeowners, Jim and Mary. Everything was delicious and when you are not with your beloved family it means so much to be with friends who are family in every sense except blood. John was grateful our five dollar (11 pound) turkey did not […]

It’s ALL Better En Masse

By Debra Basham, on December 24, 2025

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

So here we are it’s Christmas, The most wonderful time of year, When our minds turn to our loved ones, And those we hold most dear, May the memories and traditions, That have always played a part, Make this season special, Bringing joy into your heart.

I had intended […]

12-20-2025 Do You Hear What I Hear

By Debra Basham, on December 20, 2025

It’s still dark as I lie in my bed with words coming through my head. These words have to do with Bonnie Makepeace, singer songwriter, and beloved friend. I’ve written about her music before. Today John and I are driving 150 miles to the home of Norm and Rochelle Morris, in San Antonio, Florida. They […]

A New Game

By Debra Basham, on December 8, 2025

For years we have had a hand-held slot machine game on the back of the toilet in our master bathroom. It is incentive for me to take the time to sit and allow body functions to do their thing. While this might seem like too much information for some, the process of allowing time and […]

Yellow Brick Road: Your Path to Heart & Health