I've learned a great deal unpacking boxes of stuff. It turns out I collect a lot of paper. I have a wide variety of child's art, report cards and letters home from basic training. Papers touched, decorated and written on by my sons were causing me stress. I couldn't bare to throw them away even tho my …
Tag: family
No. No it WAS NOT that easy
I stepped into the garage a couple days ago and this box caught my eye. It made me laugh. There have been days it made me cry... but I think I've moved on to a better place. When you step back and take a broader look, there was nothing remotely easy about getting here. .... and another …
Do They Know… I pray?
This morning Andrew left for three weeks of advanced military training. He's only flying to the middle of America. It's not like he's flying into the middle of war, but still... I pray and watch the clock and hope I might get a text that all is well... eventually. I wonder if he feels those prayers? When …
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 …
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. …
The Big Change
My life has changed a lot. Suddenly. Although it wasn't a surprise. I knew it was coming. I boastfully said, "I can do this". I retired from my job a week and a half ago.... traveled for an anniversary celebration with my parents.... then hit the road back home. But "Home" is a vague place. The old one is a mess, …
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 