I called a son on his birthday a few days ago... nothing too unusual about that. He: Hey, Mom...what's happening? Me: Just calling to say Happy Birthday. He: Thanks, Mom. This is the son who always had the happy, smiley face, the where's-the-party personality, the Super Man key chain (and driving record) that survived his teen and military years. …
Category: Family
Epiphany…. I almost missed it
It takes me awhile to process things. I "mull", I debate inwardly over and over again, which is why I am just now coming to terms with January 1st. January 1st was our family Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years all rolled into one. A lot of expectation for one little day. It was the day we had most of our kids and …
Christmas Perfection
I talk on the phone to my parents and Mom laments. After the initial holiday enthusiasm wanes, after her annual Christmas craft faire is done, after her festive packages are mailed, there is the let down. The perfect Christmas seems to elude. Quiet waiting is all that is left. Then it's my turn .....there are no kids or grandkids dropping …
Mattie Mae
I've done a lot of praying for wisdom and strength lately, but today I asked for something new. JOY. I need joy. This house sorely needs joy. I was flooded with memories of my great-grandmother. She had no material wealth that I know of. Almost all the years I knew her she lived with her youngest daughter, Ruth, …
At least I know where I come from…..
Since I'm still a little confused about where I am...... at loose ends without 24/7 connection to email, Facebook and on-line bill pay..... discombobulated by my new role as caregiver.... I thought I'd reflect on something I know for sure. September 21st was my last day on the job, but it was also my Dad's 86th birthday. …
why this mama lied
I'm not proud of this, but I came face to face with a past sin and need to clear the air. Meet my little friends. I don't know their names but they're 28 years old. Flattened, faded, apendeges dangling or gone... I found them in a brown paper sack labeled "December 1983, Ian and David". Wanting …
Grace for the Overly Stressed
"What's happenin' Mom", the customary greeting from a son's Sunday morning call. "Oh, not much", my customary response ......when I don't really want to talk about what is going on ....when I don't want to verbalize the "what's happenin" because there's more than I can handle. When he mentions he and the brothers and the …
Still Moving….. slowly
Major life changes reveal a lot. Packing and moving a household shows I save more stuff than I realize. I can't blame it all on Doug.... but I will try, of course. So far I've packed the easy stuff. Actually, not easy, just accessible. It's stuff I know must go - - like a cabinet full of china, bedding and …
Where The Good Way Is
Some Christmases and birthdays I felt like a failure. Rarely were there flashy, hot ticket items for boys to unwrap. I tried not to dwell on lack. I knew things didn't last anyway. The good stuff is intangible....but hard to package for a son's holiday gift. So instead, boys built snow forts and ice skated. We made things and we baked …
Pie and Persistance
The wedding was perfect. My extraordinary mother was the creative genius behind it all. The cake - five tiers of hand-crafted, spun sugar orchids - was made and given as a gift. Family and friends gathered for the reception, catered by my favorite church ladies. And there is nothing better than church lady food. And none of the …
Heart's Home 