Today is my birthday. I had a weekend of celebration planned including going to a Western Dance on Saturday night and Swing Dance on Sunday night, and in between celebrating with my family so my grandson could enjoy my cake with me. But instead, it'll be a mostly quiet day because of COVID-19 as we … Continue reading Celebrating Another Year of Life
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Our Best-Laid Plans
Throughout our marriage, my husband David has often called me a planner; always thinking about what's ahead, using lists and keeping calendars to stay on track. It's true that I've usually had a pretty clear idea of where I was headed and what I wanted. I've been goal-directed and was one of those people who … Continue reading Our Best-Laid Plans
Saying Goodbye to My Christmas Guest
I left the hospital that Monday night excited that my friend Delores would be coming to stay with me rather than at the hospital hotel. Her husband, Johnny had been admitted to the UNC Cancer Hospital on December 2cnd to treat complications from melanoma. I could see Delores was exhausted from spending her days at … Continue reading Saying Goodbye to My Christmas Guest
Love Letters Straight from Their Hearts
Years ago when Mama went to Parkview and we were cleaning out her house, we sorted the contents of her closets. Mama was never one to throw anything away, especially not cards or correspondence; the same had been true of Daddy. One box proved to be quite a treasure: letters Mama and Daddy sent to each … Continue reading Love Letters Straight from Their Hearts
To See Her Face
Over the past few months, it's been harder to visit Mama. I don't know how I'll find her-- if she'll have that sweet smile we've come to expect, or if she'll be bent forward in her wheelchair, at times with a forlorn expression. It's difficult to see her that way and you don't know what … Continue reading To See Her Face
Sisterhood of Support
Yesterday I saw the movie, Little Women. I've enjoyed that story in book, play, and now, movie forms. It resonates with me as the middle of three daughters-- especially since the main character is Jo March-- the second oldest, the writer, and the one who stirs things up. It was interesting to see each girl's … Continue reading Sisterhood of Support
Not a Usual Christmas
Christmas trees have always been one of my favorite traditions of this holiday season. Recently, I toured the Biltmore House in Asheville during the special Downton Abbey Exhibition. The tour guide told us there were seventy decorated trees inside the house and seventy outside. Because of the massive rooms with high ceilings, most of the … Continue reading Not a Usual Christmas
Step Forward on Your New Path
Last Thursday afternoon, with my belly full of Thanksgiving turkey, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, topped off by apple-pecan pie a la mode, I drove through the country toward the Eno River State Park. The weather was perfect for a hike-- sunny and fifty-seven degrees with a gentle breeze. There were still touches of fall foliage … Continue reading Step Forward on Your New Path
Finding My Grateful Heart
"The holidays will be hard," many have told me, recalling their experiences of the first of everything after losing their spouse through death or divorce. These folks have gone on to share suggestions to help me through this season. I've thought about their counsel and now, with Thanksgiving in sight, I'm making my plans. Like … Continue reading Finding My Grateful Heart
Different Kinds of Courage
Last Monday we celebrated Veteran's Day. I thought of the men in my family who have served in the Armed Forces-- my father and my uncles in WWII, my cousins in Vietnam, and then male and female acquaintances in more recent wars. When I see the news coverage of war I wonder what it feels … Continue reading Different Kinds of Courage
