My name is Patricia Paddey. I love to write. I love lots of other things too: holding a cup of hot tea on a cold day, the exhilarating feeling that comes at the end of a hard run, picking fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden just outside my kitchen door. But my love for God – and for the family God has given me – top all others.

In my working life, I write for print, broadcast and online media. But the priority role in my life has always been that of being a mom.

Being a mom wasn’t simply what I did, but the role around which every other role in my life revolved.

But I find I’m in a new phase of life now; rapidly approaching the end of the active, “hands on” years of parenting. You see, the three people on the planet who call me “mom,” are Stephanie (21), Mark (19) and Jenna (15). Stephanie is away from home, studying in her final year of university. It was at her request that I started this blog. Mark is in his first second year of university, and Jenna is in grade 10. And so – it’s time to set some new priorities.

I’m going back to school. For years, I entertained thoughts of one day pursuing theological studies. That day is here.

Samples of my professional writing are available elsewhere. This blog contains personal thoughts and reflections on life and learning. My hope is that here, my daughter and others who stop by, will find thoughts that will encourage, sometimes provoke, delight and maybe even occasionally motivate. Thank you for visiting!

“My assumption is that the story of any one of us is, in some measure, the story of us all.” – Frederick Buechner, Listening to Your Life