Stepping into the fog of this new year, things felt a bit off-kilter for me, like I couldn't quite settle down after my move and the holidays-- still thinking there's "one more thing" I need to get done. But the thing I most needed to do was spend time yesterday with my younger grandson, Parks. … Continue reading Riding a New Carousel
being a grandparent
Happy Holidays from My House to Yours
It's late afternoon of Christmas Day and finally things are still enough that I can sit down to write this post. I sent out very few Christmas cards this year; I was too busy spending the day with all those folks working on my townhouse. That's my excuse for now--guess next year I'll have to … Continue reading Happy Holidays from My House to Yours
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
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
Swimming Lessons
When I was a girl, June brought the end of school and the beginning of swimming lessons at our city pool in my hometown--Sanford. That pool was built in 1935 by the WPA--Works Projects Administration, as part of the New Deal of President FD Roosevelt's administration. That huge rectangle of turquoise water was a magnificent … Continue reading Swimming Lessons
Back Home on the Farm
The one time of year I miss being a child the most is summer. I have a deep yearning to be back there on our farm, feeling the dirt under my bare feet, watching a sudden shower from the cover of our front porch, playing until the dark's only light is dancing fire flies. I … Continue reading Back Home on the Farm
Happy 99th Birthday, Mama!
Today would have been Mama's 99th birthday. She died in April of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic--not from Covid but from a natural end-of-life after years of decline from dementia. Our family was lucky that the disease did not impact her personality as it does with many; she remained a gentle and kind … Continue reading Happy 99th Birthday, Mama!
Forgiving Our Fathers: Forgiving Ourselves
Today we celebrate fathers. It's a day of remembering for those of us who have lost them. For my son, Brooks, who's the daddy of my grandsons, Baker and Parks, it's feeling the love and the huge responsibility for his exuberant two and four-year-olds. With this day of national honoring of these men, comes mixed … Continue reading Forgiving Our Fathers: Forgiving Ourselves
Family Reunion: A Gathering of Loyalty and Love
Yesterday we had our Smith Family Reunion, Mama's family that had eight children and twenty grandchildren. We were lucky that all but one of the eight-- three daughters and five sons, lived in North Carolina and we saw them regularly when we were growing up. I have fond memories of Grandma Smith's farm house bulging … Continue reading Family Reunion: A Gathering of Loyalty and Love
What do I need now?
Lately I've been thinking a lot about how to navigate this chapter of my life. As I mentioned in my post, Really Retired, I've finally ended my career as a nurse. Last week, I let go of taking care of my grandson two days a week which I've been doing for over three years. As … Continue reading What do I need now?
Connie Rosser Riddle 