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We can learn. We can change. We can reform our perceptions so that we come to view things through the eyes of prayer and wonder.

Sue Monk Kidd, God's Joyful Surprise

On occasion, Sharon writes about her life and her work and shares these writings with the members. It is a chance for members to get to know Sharon on a more personal level. It is an opportunity to understand "the woman behind the curtain." Sharon's writing often gives members a better understanding of how Neighbors evolved and why. It also gives members a better sense of community.

Sharon's Bio

I didn't call myself a writer until 2007, and it was my husband who named me one initially. Writing has been my passion since childhood, though I never dreamed of being able to publish anything until my 40s. I published on my own site and in a local paper, but had never written anything for pay until 2008. Now, it is a critical element of my job and it remains my passion.

I am a middle-aged, happily married woman. I have a teen age son and two step children in their 20s. My parents call me their "flower child", though my friends consider me relatively conservative. I live in Great Falls, VA with our menagerie of cats and dogs and neighboring wildlife. I vacation in New Mexico and Florida at every possible opportunity.

I was born in El Paso, Texas, but was raised just a few miles from where I live now from age 7 until I attended college at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA. I taught middle and high school English for a few years, moved to Okinawa, Japan for a few years during a short first marriage. I earned my M.Ed. in Counseling & Personnel Services from University of Maryland, then taught a few more years, then married my current husband.

I worked with Jeffrey for 12 years as co-owner of a remodeling company, and then I started myNeighborsNetwork.com in 2000. In 2003, I turned my hobby into a business and have been running it ever since.

I am an introvert, shy by nature. I love to read, knit, needlepoint, pet my cats, and of course, write.

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The Power of Faith, Family, Friends
It seems lately that every time I write in sharon’s nook, I am exhausted. That remains true tonight. It has been a long day. My sister Carol finally went home tonight for some rest after being awake for more than 40 hours straight. Davis, my nephew, is home from UVA, and physically doing well. David had a very ... click here to read more

David Ford Emergency
At 10 pm last night (Tuesday), my sister Carol called to say that her husband David (the kidney donor) was in emergency surgery at Potomac Hospital (near Potomac Mills Mall). My parents and I drove down there and just arrived back. It is now almost 6 am. David is in critical but stable condition. Honestly, I can't re... click here to read more

Normal
Twelve weeks after Jeff’s devastating accident – Dr. Tom Klein looked at today’s xray and gave Jeff permission to go fly-fishing. It is miraculous that I can write that as a statement of fact. The xray shows no compression of the bone graft. Everything is healing and holding as we had prayed for. Twelve weeks ago,... click here to read more

Ford Family Kidney Transplant Update
More on the Ford family from Carol: Thank you for all the prayers and kindness and support. The surgery was successful. David said that the doctors told him he would feel like he had been hit by a truck, but they forgot to mention it would be an 18 wheeler, fully loaded. Thankfully, he is healing and actually going hom... click here to read more

Surgery Update
Everyone is fine! The surgeries went well both to take David's kidney out and to put it into Davis. Both are resting and the kidney is working well for Davis. A big Thank You and "Whew" for this entire day. So many of you sent incredibly kind and loving emails, notes of encouragement. I read them all and have forwarde... click here to read more

Kidney Transplant
Tomorrow morning is a big event in our family. My nephew, Davis, is receiving a kidney transplant from his dad, David. This transplant has been a long time coming, a result of a genetic disorder (Allport Syndrome). Daviis, age 19, has been living with a kidney function of below 20% for several months now. We are all ex... click here to read more

Sharon's Favorite Blogs - What Are Yours?
Why do you read the ones you read? My primary reason: I feel connected to the blogger. Somehow, what they write fascinates me, agrees with me, connects with me. I like hearing what they have to say. Kate Vickers (http://www.yogikate.typepad.com/) – I am not a yoga enthusiast, but I love Kate’s recipes, her tone,... click here to read more

Meandering
Note from Sharon; I did not edit this piece after I wrote it – it is meandering, but is from the heart. And today, I choose not to edit my heart. In her presentation at the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference earlier this month, author Natalie Goldberg said, “I don’t choose my stories; my stories choose me.... click here to read more

THIS is Why I Started myNeighborsNetwork.com
"Just wanted to let you know what a blessing myNeighborsNetwork.com is. A member has offered a hospital bed for my mom's friend. When I told that family that I found a bed for them they broke down in tears. I already thanked Elizabeth for her tremendous kindness but I also want to thank you for facilitating it. Hard to ... click here to read more

Why I Write
to be loved to be validated to be understood to get through pain to release pain to record joy to remember to process events to settle my anger to wash away my tears to give a legacy to my family to get back at my enemies to get revenge to give hope to others to give hope to myself to question to offer ans... click here to read more

Things My Family Says
Ya Ya! I’m FINE Hey Gayle! You were a real brat back then, you know that? Do you still love me? I love you. I love you more. I love you to the moon and back. See you later alligator. In awhile crocodile. Hasta lumbago. Come esta? Usted. What do you have for homework tonight? I love yo... click here to read more

Sharon Needs a Writing Buddy
While in Taos, NM this month, I had the luxury of hearing Natalie Goldberg speak. One of her most memorable comments was the reminder to get a writing buddy. A writing buddy is someone I meet with for one hour. We have two twenty-minute sessions of free writing with each person bringing their own prompt. Then the o... click here to read more

Guilt Vs. Abandonment
Purpose of today’s piece: I have no idea. Ramblings from Sharon. . . . . I have been suffering from a case of guilt all weekend. I am leaving on Thursday for a writers’ conference in Taos, New Mexico, a trip I had planned last December. I am signed up for three courses; I also have a meeting with an agent lined up f... click here to read more

Saturday Night
Saturday night, 8:30 pm – My first period of calm, quiet time since May 31st, when Jeff injured his leg in his “full contact gardening” accident. These past four weeks have been some of the most stressful weeks, I think, in almost 15 years. This past Monday, my dad had back surgery. He did not go home on We... click here to read more

Update on Jeff and Sharon - We Are Doing Well
Today is the day I started to feel human again. Jeff slept for seven hours straight. His healing is nothing short of amazing. I am so grateful for everyone’s generosity. My staff brought over the “Happy Book,” a binder filled with all the emails from everyone over the past ten days. The emails, notes, cards, prayer... click here to read more

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