I'm at an age where many people are downsizing and cleaning out their homes. Some folks are taking care of their parents' or older relatives' estates. At times, it's an overwhelming task, with so many decisions to make-- some items easy to discard and others with sentimental value that must be saved. As hard as … Continue reading Hidden Dreams: Hidden Selves
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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
The Rawleigh Lady: Through Changing Times
Last week I wrote my first post about Mama's role as The Rawleigh Lady. Her route was in the neighborhoods where Black people lived, the area referred to as "Colored Town" by White folks. One of my readers, MJ commented, "Your Mom was a trailblazer"; and she was right. It's taken me years to realize … Continue reading The Rawleigh Lady: Through Changing Times
The Rawleigh Lady
Today, I'm remembering Mama and Daddy; this would have been their anniversary and Daddy's birthday. They got married in a double-wedding ceremony on his 30th along with Mama's brother, Cliff and his bride. I remember Mama's quick comeback, around ten years ago, when I told her that I wouldn't have wanted to share my special … Continue reading The Rawleigh Lady
You’re Smarter Than You Think
Over the past month, since moving into my townhouse, there have been many new household things to deal with. Actually, since going through my divorce, there have been many things to deal with. In our marriage, like most partnerships where you manage a household, we had a division of labor that was firmly established after … Continue reading You’re Smarter Than You Think
Riding a New Carousel
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
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
Bittersweet Christmas
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
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