A couple years ago I bought four plastic totes and labeled one for each son. As I unpacked boxes from the past, I dropped whatever belonged to a boy in his own box. They overflowed pretty fast. Realizing it was silly to keep elementary school papers for a guy in his mid-40s, I …
Years ago when I lived somewhere else and was gainfully employed at our local university, I was at a "Support Staff" meeting where employee labels were being discussed. There were "Faculty", who were pretty much the stars of the show. (oh yes, just ask them!) There were "Administrators" with power to hire, fire and make big decisions. They went …
This boy grew up like most others of his day. He minded his dad and loved his mom. He studied hard, raced his bike on Seattle streets, and really loved his American Flyer train set. He grew up and married his high school sweetheart, worked hard, became a dad and most every Christmas of my growing …
A mom can find her kid. Even in a crowd. I could find Andrew on the football field by watching for arms and legs. I can spot Daniel by the sound of his laugh. And Ian’s voice draws my attention. Much like his dad’s, it's distinctive and pleasing. And as with Andrew, if he's moving, I can find …
A soldier returned to his home from two back-to-back combat tours in as many years.He returned to family who love him.But he could not relax. He did not sleep well. He scrubbed things that didn't need scrubbing. He organized, arranged, re-arranged and made piles for the dump. He pressure washed the entire exterior of his home. He pulled out …
Last week I wrote of the recent road trip to visit family. One evening I joined my parents, sister and niece for dinner at a favorite Mexican restaurant in downtown Auburn. It’s right close by the old gold miner. And it was the last place I ever took my grandparents before Papa died. The place had …
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I'm in a hurry to get things done, Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun. All I really got to do is live and die, but I'm in a hurry and don't know why This song by Alabama used to make me think of a son... the one who was in a hurry …
As my husband might say, “I have a case of the fall-a-parts”. Things have been breaking loose, you know... a summer of being undone. The last couple months have been full of things I've never experienced before... - cancelled a very important trip for an emergency tooth extraction - lost all my credit cards and didn't …
The other team had color-coordinated everything... and classy coolers full of ridiculously healthy snacks. Our team at least had matching red jerseys (kind of), juice boxes and homemade cookies... plus a lot of spunk. The other team had cute, little girl cheerleaders. Our team had two scrappy boys who decided to cheer-lead for their brother. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I love that my sons stick up for each other. They'd …
When I packed up my old dining room and moved to the new, several note books made the trip. Notepads, small spiral-bound note books and pens were always kept by the phone. In this new space I carry a cell phone and have no designated message area. I worry I'll forget something important before I can write it …
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