Back in the fall, I was walking to the park with my three-year old grandson, Baker. A bird flew passed us and Baker said to me, "Grammy, birds are my friends." I looked at the delight on his face, watching the bird headed to a nearby branch of a crepe myrtle tree. "How do you … Continue reading Real and Imagined
finding hope
Year of Waiting
2021 has been a year of waiting; the coronavirus has forced changes around our world, impacting us collectively and personally. We've waited for news of improving conditions, for the lockdown to be lifted, flights to open up. We've waited at bedsides, outside of windows of elderly nursing home residents, at the safe-six-foot-distance in grocery lines. … Continue reading Year of Waiting
Happy Divorce-ary
It's been one year since our divorce was granted. Recently, when I was looking through greeting cards at Walgreen's, it occurred to me that there are no cards for acknowledging that benchmark in your life. There are Happy Anniversary cards that celebrate another year of making it in a marriage-- but nothing to note the … Continue reading Happy Divorce-ary
Saving Lives: Vets to Vets
It was 6 o'clock in the morning on New Year's Day in 1975 when I was home from my junior year of college for Christmas break. The wall phone in the den just down the hall from our bedrooms was ringing. I heard Daddy's footsteps making his way to the phone. Mama followed behind to … Continue reading Saving Lives: Vets to Vets
I See You: Eyes of a Child
It was a Thursday afternoon and I was keeping my 16-month-old grandson, Parks. He'd just gotten up from his nap and I wanted to quickly check my mailbox. I let him walk on the sidewalk holding my hand, and then picked him up when we crossed through the parking lot to the mail station. He … Continue reading I See You: Eyes of a Child
Ghosted: Online Dating
I started this online dating journey a year ago. I've taken note of all the guys I've encountered on this path. Some I've only messaged on the site; some I've known through phone conversations and texting; others, I've met in person for coffee, hikes, dinner or drinks. So much about this new way of dating … Continue reading Ghosted: Online Dating
Shallow Well Church Ladies
I grew up in Shallow Well United Church of Christ that was within a mile of my house and the focal point of our family activity. Besides large extended families on both my mother and father's sides, we had a church family that provided love and stability. The church was founded in 1831 when services … Continue reading Shallow Well Church Ladies
A Life Without Regret: Embracing the Journey
This past week I had the privilege of being with a long-time friend who is dealing with an incurable cancer. She's been treated with every chemotherapy available but still the cancer returns. I consider it a privilege because she included me in the limited time she has as her life is narrowing in. She's getting … Continue reading A Life Without Regret: Embracing the Journey
A Flicker of Hope
When I retired as a school nurse in March of 2017, I wasn't ready to stop working completely in my profession. I still wanted to do something to help others-- just not in the same way. After six months of considering my options, an opportunity opened up for me at UNC-- where I had my … Continue reading A Flicker of Hope
Connie Rosser Riddle 