Last night, I enjoyed Halloween with my grandsons, Baker 6 y.o. and Parks 4 y.o. I felt fortunate that Baker had asked me the week before, "Grammy, will you go trick-or-treating with us?" Fortunate, because he lives within a thirty minute drive and secondly because he wants me to join in with the group that … Continue reading Bittersweet Halloween: The Passing of Time
being a grandparent
Cycle of Life: A Time to Plant
We're almost to mid-April and the official end of the threat of frost in central North Carolina. My grandmother consulted the Farmer's Almanac for advice on planting and now I consult with my Master Gardener, Brother-in-Law, Winslow. He recommends putting things in the ground after April 15th. To prepare for planting, I bought my seed … Continue reading Cycle of Life: A Time to Plant
The Gift of Time: Precious Moments with a Child
At Christmas, one of the things I gave each grandson was an "event with Grammy." This followed from asking my son, Brooks for suggestions on what to buy his boys. Brooks responded, "Give them a special time one-on-one with you." There are days during the year that I have time with each one alone--when they're … Continue reading The Gift of Time: Precious Moments with a Child
Focusing on the Goal: Camino Bound
Last Friday, I stepped forward and made my deposit for the eighteen day, Portuguese Coastal Camino trip. I'll go with a group of ten with the company Prayerful Path https://prayerfulpath.com---headed up by Mary Maddox from the Atlanta area. It will be in August instead of June, as I originally posted. Looking at the calendar, I was … Continue reading Focusing on the Goal: Camino Bound
Making Holiday Memories: Still a Family
Just a week until Christmas. The excitement was building last Friday night for my three-year-old grandson, Parks and five-year-old grandson, Baker in the midst of the Durham Bull's Baseball Stadium. That was where we went for our holiday outing to the Wool E's Winter Wonderland. The field was transformed by colorful flashing lights, a huge … Continue reading Making Holiday Memories: Still a Family
Christmas Time: Loss and Longing
We've now entered Advent--- as it's called in the Christian Calendar, that time of waiting for the birth of the Messiah. And for others, who may not be steeped in the Christian tradition but celebrate the season, it's also a special time of memories and meaning. As much as popular and traditional songs celebrate this … Continue reading Christmas Time: Loss and Longing
Special Times: A Grandmother’s Tale
This week I had a new experience with my grandsons: keeping them for an extended time while their parents were visiting friends in Seattle. I kept Baker, who is now 5, and Parks, who is 3, for two days a week for over three years. So, I'm familiar with their routines from all those hours … Continue reading Special Times: A Grandmother’s Tale
Summertime
Of my forty-four years in nursing, twenty were as a school nurse---mostly with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I will always remember early June as a busy and exciting time. We staff, were just trying to finish up the school year and anticipating the summer break. I knew it would take weeks to recover from … Continue reading Summertime
Easter: Sorrow and Love
Today is Easter Sunday, the Highest of holy days in the Christian faith. It is a time of deep, rich memories for me. Easter day on Cam Peak by kay kenyon is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0 As a child, I loved the days leading up to Easter Sunday. We were out of school on Good … Continue reading Easter: Sorrow and Love
Evergreen Diaspora: A New Kind of Church
Last week I talked with Paula, my friend that I met years ago when we worshipped together at Evergreen Methodist Church (UMC) near Chapel Hill. At that time, my two sons were in middle school and active in the youth group as well as the Boy Scout Troop--based at Evergreen. It was a busy time … Continue reading Evergreen Diaspora: A New Kind of Church