My story is not a dramatic one, but it starts in the shadow of pain. I was born 10 months after the tragic death of a sister, only eight months old. Pain has a way of shaping you, and my sweet mother was never the same after losing a child. I know. She’s told me.…
Just over a year ago, my sweet mama had a stroke that left her with an impaired memory. Events of her recent past have been erased, causing her to struggle in her understanding of the present. What she does remember, though, are stories from her past that I have never heard before. The pain of…
One of the ways that I enjoy showing love is to give gifts. Not expensive gifts, but simple, thought out gifts that say to the person, “I love you” or “I am thinking of you.” My eleven grandchildren flock to me for that one piece of gum or the tic tac that Nana always has waiting…
There is no perfect parent. Period. We would be so much healthier and happier in the process if we would just realize that it’s our humanity that reveals our need for the kind of help that every parent longs for. And that looking for help can be healthy. There are over 70,000 parenting books for…
These are not soft hands. They are tough and worn and calloused. Eighty years of use. I’m sure I did, but I don’t remember holding my Dad’s hand when I was small. We never had a Daddy-Daughter dance. Unless dancing around important topics counts. You see, my Dad is not much on words or sentiment.…
It is an inevitable inevitability. Change. Not always easy. Not always welcome. But definitely in.ev.it.a.ble. The cycle of life has a way of reminding us that even though change can be very difficult, it is, in reality, the most natural thing of all. It is one thing that we can always count on: Change will happen. As…
A picture is worth a thousand words. And yet… You can read a plethora of books on Gettysburg, look at pictures, or even watch the movie, but the reality is–it can never replace the experience of being there. Experiencing it first-hand changes everything. In effect, it is a giant graveyard where you step quietly and…
A sobering place. A pivotal place in American History. You.must.see.it. But if you cannot, perhaps the photos will make it more real to you. O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation. Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land Praise the Power that…
Some lead and some follow. We need both. Even leaders choose who they will follow, and the person with a follower-type personality will often be required to be a leader at some point in their life. One of the greatest roles and responsibilities we have is to lead and influence those littles that God places in…
Decorating the tree with ornaments old and new. Hanging of the greens. Carols. Lights. And bows. Pretty packages and stockings hung by a fire. These “little things” are what make it feel like coming home. Even though we have only been in this house for a year now, this really is HOME. We have really settled…
I am not a controversial person. Seriously. I do not enjoy arguing and I would rather avoid conflict, if at all possible. But this one has got me riled up. Tweets and blogs implying that it is inappropriate for churches to have patriotic services. I respectfully disagree. And I cannot ignore this stirring in my heart…
This song. I can’t get it out of my head–and yet, I don’t want to. “You’re a Good, Good Father, it’s Who You are…” “And I’m loved by You, it’s who I am.” [Chris Tomlin] Being a parent is the hardest, most rewarding job in the world, and the truth is, We all fail. We…
If you give a Mom a minute, she might just take a breath. And though she could spend it on herself, she will probably do laundry. If you give a Mom a minute, She might just take a bath, but she will see the toilet, and she will feel an incredible urge to start cleaning.
It’s right about now that many of you shoppers out there are thinking one of two things: ONE: “I really, really, really NEED to get started on my Christmas shopping!” or, TWO: “I really, really SHOULD have simplified and done LESS!” I am happy to say that after hearing about Four SImple Gifts, and implementing this…
It’s only my personal opinion, but cedar trees are not the most beautiful of trees… My husband-with-a-memory-bank-that-never-runs-out is stashed with all kinds of treasure. He has been trying to teach me to recognize different types of trees for a long time, but is especially persistent on this adventure to the lake. It is just beyond…
