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
#family
Preparation in Gratitude
This week we'll be preparing for Thanksgiving. Some folks will travel great distances; others will drive just down the road to share that meal with family and friends. I've made my first trip to the grocery store to purchase the main items, but for sure there'll be a couple more for those things that were … Continue reading Preparation in Gratitude
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
Treasures from our Trips
My Facebook feed has been filled with pictures of friends and family on vacation. Some have taken trips to beach destinations, some to other spots in the US, and a few, places in Europe. There was a shot made by a friend from her beach chair-- her bare feet pointed toward the ocean as she … Continue reading Treasures from our Trips
Free to be Free
On Tuesday, our country will celebrate Independence Day, paying tribute to our hard-earned freedom made possible by men and women in uniform. It's easy to talk about freedom when you live in an area that's not threatened by war, where children can mostly play in their yards without fear, and where the people you love … Continue reading Free to be Free
Pack the Picnic Basket
Now that it's summer, I'm remembering back to trips we took when I was a child. One of the treats we most enjoyed was a weekend at White Lake--which was just 80 miles from our home. We loved swimming in the clear water and afterwards, games at the arcade and rides--especially the bumper cars and … Continue reading Pack the Picnic Basket
Remembering Daddy
Today, on Father's Day, I'm remembering Daddy and all the things he gave me, all the roles he played, over the twenty-two years that he was in my life. It's fitting for me that this day is in June, when I have my most vibrant memories of him working on our farm--which was his Rosser … Continue reading Remembering Daddy
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
Slow and Steady Progress
Last week was a time of simple focus; just set a small goal for the day and let everything else go. On Monday, my cousin, Kim drove me back to where I used to live for a much-needed haircut appointment. It was more than I could do to drive and to get myself to the … Continue reading Slow and Steady Progress
To Plant a Garden
To plant a garden is to outwardly show you trust the future; you'll be around to see those seeds sprout, those plants grow. You invest in soil, fertilizer, seeds, plants, and tools to form the garden of your dreams. It's a display of the colors of your heart, the patterns of your mind, the creative … Continue reading To Plant a Garden
