Author Archives: russtowne

About russtowne

I'm awed by the beauty of nature and the power of love and gratitude. Some of my favorite sensory experiences include waves crashing on rocky shores, waterways in ancient redwood and fern-filled forests, and rain. My wife and I have been married since 1979. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I manage a wealth management firm that I founded in 2003. My Beloved is a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. I'm a published author of approximately 60 books in a variety of genres for grownups and children.

If I Could

Posted on January 19, 2013 by russtowne

Your sorrow shows in your eyes and is etched on your face It reflects a weary spirit that is in a painful place The smiling mask you wear when you say everything’s OK Can’t hide from me the tragedy you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Forgiveness, Healing, Loneliness, Pain & Grief, Poetry I Wrote, Strength | Tagged admire, carry on, courage, darkness, faith, festered, fire, Grief, Hope, hottest, hurt, if I could, Life, life's, long, night, pain, strength, suffered, suffering, symptoms | 14 Comments

Posted on January 19, 2013 by russtowne

Originally posted on GYA today:
Mary Sauter doesn’t have children of her own, but she’s been brightening the holiday season for hundreds of children in her Iowa town for nearly 25 years, acting as a secret angel who spends her savings on…

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Thank You Indeed

Posted on January 18, 2013 by russtowne

I just read a heart-breaking article that was also inspiring and heart-warming. It included several responses to young women who are living with horrifying traumas of various kinds. Snippets: “In a girls’ bathroom stall at my university, girls have written … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Compassion, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Love, Making the World a Better Place, Stories That Touched Me, Youth | Tagged beautiful, brave, cares, courage, eating disorders, enough, horrifying, Love, loved, pain, raped, Reddit, stall, strong, The Lookout, trauma, women's, women's restroom, worthy, Y news, Yahoo, Yahoo News | 6 Comments

Family Nights

Posted on January 18, 2013 by russtowne

This is a repost that has been updated for newer friends. Family Nights Picture if you will all the noise and people during rush hour in Grand Central Station, the commotion and energy of a busy dog park, the love … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Children, Family "Fun", Grandparenting & Grandkids, Love, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged cjildren, dogs, Family, grandparent, grandparenting, Grandparents, kids, Love, parenting, United Nations | 19 Comments

Ever Since

Posted on January 17, 2013 by russtowne

The story in the poem below actually happened, and continues still. Russ “What do you believe is your most important job of being a wife?” “To protect his heart” she declared in front of fifty men that day “My most … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, Making Memories, Marriage, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged answer, break, ever since, heart, I do, marriage, My Beloved, never, protect, question, story, wife | 17 Comments

Welcome Home, My Friends!

Posted on January 17, 2013 by russtowne

This is a glorious way to be greeted when arriving home: Russ

Posted in Joy & Happiness, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged airport, flash mob, glorious, welcome, welcome home | 8 Comments

Posted on January 17, 2013 by russtowne

Originally posted on Teacher as Transformer:
A student read this poem today as part of their Language Arts and we discussed the underlying meaning of the poem. It reminded me of a story I heard several years ago. I am…

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Don’t Smile!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by russtowne

(A re-post with minor revisions for my friends who are newer to this blog.) My Beloved and I found that one of the hardest things about disciplining our young children was staying serious when scolding them—especially when every instinct in … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Humor, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged children, discipline, friends, kids, rules, smile, smiling, son, woe | 13 Comments

What Do You Say?

Posted on January 16, 2013 by russtowne

This morning I received a wonderful gift from a dear reader and gifted friend whom I’ve never met. Thank you, Meg. This one is for you: What Do You Say? What do you say When someone does something so kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Gifts, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged breath, Friend, gift, kind, Meg, poem, poetry, thank you, words | 5 Comments

The Treasure

Posted on January 16, 2013 by russtowne

There are pieces of my spirit In all that I create Offers of connectedness I hope will resonate May you find that what I write Is loving, kind, and true And invites a deeper delving Into the treasure that is … Continue reading →