It was a year ago this weekend that we said our farewell to Mama at her graveside service at Shallow Well United Church of Christ. It was a sunny, cool Saturday before Mother's Day and I was touched by the great number who stood in masks around the cemetery. Family, friends, fellow church and community … Continue reading To Lose Your Mother
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To Grow Older
I've been thinking a lot about growing older because tomorrow's my birthday; I'll be sixty-six. Does anyone ever believe the age they are? When you're 14, you can't believe you're not at least 16. You say to yourself, "I must really be sixteen because I feel like I should be. I'm ready for sixteen!" When … Continue reading To Grow Older
Hope on the Horizon
This week I've felt that cabin fever common to the end of February-- only more intense after a year of the pandemic. Spring is ahead, less than a month away and that always brings a burst of energy with the emerging crocus and flowering daffodils. Our governor lifted some of the restrictions and that feels … Continue reading Hope on the Horizon
Emotional Openness: What They Had
It's Valentine's Day and I've returned to the love letters that were left by my parents. Last year I'd discovered their treasure trove of correspondence during the late forties when they were 'courting.' Mama was twenty-six and Daddy turned thirty on their wedding day-- February 26, 1950. I pulled out the box filled with their … Continue reading Emotional Openness: What They Had
Soundtracks of Our Lives
When I was a girl, we had a red and white record player. I remember having just a few 45s and albums. With the albums, I'd play my favorite songs over and over, picking up the needle and counting over to the beginning groove of that selection. My family sometimes complained about hearing the same … Continue reading Soundtracks of Our Lives
Going Home for Christmas
We're finishing out the Christmas holiday. I'm struck by how our lean celebration has left me with distinct memories and a restful feeling that I've never had after Christmas. In past years, our family typically had three days of celebration: Christmas Eve with our immediate and church families, Christmas Day with our immediate and Riddle … Continue reading Going Home for Christmas
Through a Child’s Eyes
I'm a fortunate grandmother; my two grandsons live nearby and I see them regularly, even during this year of COVID. The younger one, David Parks is almost 6 months old and is a beautiful baby with a smile that could warm the coldest heart. He studies your face as you hold him close and his … Continue reading Through a Child’s Eyes
When It’s Over
Yesterday our divorce went to the Orange County court. A judge was sitting in a courtroom and going through all the cases that would have been handled in person by lawyers-- were it not this unusual pandemic year. I imagined the judge in a dimly lit, drafty room, sitting and reading the facts on each … Continue reading When It’s Over
Harvest Walk
Everywhere we look, there are scenes of fall, harvest tableaus with bales of hay, pumpkins, and shocks of corn. It reminds us in our modern day of our agricultural roots and how farmers gather their crops before frost and either store or sell them. I think of the past year since the last harvest season … Continue reading Harvest Walk
A Time to Heal
We've all been through a grueling week of waiting for election results while hearing the results of the COVID-19 surge. For each of us, these happenings in our nation are added onto our personal daily challenges. Our family had to deal with my son being exposed to COVID and then I developed a fever, and … Continue reading A Time to Heal
