It's just a week until Christmas and we feel ourselves get caught up in the anticipation and expectations of idealized holidays. Years ago I realized how difficult Christmas can be. My father died of a massive heart attack on December 13. I was just twenty-two years old, working in my first nursing position after college. … Continue reading Bittersweet Christmas
Author: conniesedona317
Fernando: People in My Path
Over the past couple of months, buying and moving to my new home, there have been a lot of people in my path. I've used the services of a realty company, bankers, insurance brokers, Town of Apex employees, many Lowe's Home store sales associates, painting contractor, carpenter, electrician, and plumber. I've learned what it means … Continue reading Fernando: People in My Path
HOPE: Believing All Things Are Possible
This past week was one of change for me-- finishing up the previous chapter in Durham and moving to the next chapter in my new home in Apex--just 22 miles and one county away. Things went very well with my son, Ross and a friend loading the moving truck, my appliances arriving on time and … Continue reading HOPE: Believing All Things Are Possible
New Gratitudes
This has been a 'working holiday' for me; I've been packing boxes and moving them to my new home in preparation for the big move on Monday. On Thanksgiving Day, I enjoyed a few hours of resting and eating with family and then left for my "date with a Doctor," as I told my sister-in-law, … Continue reading New Gratitudes
Same Time Next Year
Last Thursday I was honored, once again, to spend the better part of a cold autumn day with my cousin, Danny. I always wanted an older brother, and he's the closest to one I've known. Growing up, I didn't know him well because he's eleven years older than me. But since we started the tradition … Continue reading Same Time Next Year
Opening the Door to a New Beginning
Last Thursday I took another step to move toward the next chapter of my life: I closed on a townhouse. I've never bought a home by myself. Unlocking the door for the first time, felt like having the golden key to my new kingdom. I was moving out of the muddy river of the in-between-time … Continue reading Opening the Door to a New Beginning
Faith and Friendship: No Boundaries
In last week's post, Return to Jekyll Island, I'd made a stop in Georgia, retracing steps from my first intentional solo journey, and was headed on to my final destination of Florida. This is how I introduced the reason for my trip: "I'll be reunited with a friend from the Netherlands who I met at … Continue reading Faith and Friendship: No Boundaries
Return to Jekyll Island
It's been seventeen years since I took my solo journey to Jekyll Island, Georgia. That trip followed a triumphant visit with my oncologist. I'd made it to that important five-year mark post triple-negative breast cancer. I'd also made it to my fiftieth birthday and the trip to Jekyll was my gift to myself. I'd learned … Continue reading Return to Jekyll Island
Order My Steps
Sometimes, when I realize the passing of time, it hits me like a gut punch. That happened this morning when I saw my note from three years ago in my devotional book. I'd commented on attending my cousin's son's wake and the weight of that grief, her loss as a mother. How can that be, … Continue reading Order My Steps
Transitions: Grappling with the Gap
In last week's post, I announced my surprise that I'd put a contract on a townhouse-since navigating the market has been so difficult. Once that offer was accepted, it seems like I was swept into a river's flow being pulled downstream with the appraisal, inspection, estimates on repairs, and cost for fresh paint. I've been … Continue reading Transitions: Grappling with the Gap