Yesterday we had our Smith Family Reunion, Mama's family that had eight children and twenty grandchildren. We were lucky that all but one of the eight-- three daughters and five sons, lived in North Carolina and we saw them regularly when we were growing up. I have fond memories of Grandma Smith's farm house bulging … Continue reading Family Reunion: A Gathering of Loyalty and Love
growing older
What do I need now?
Lately I've been thinking a lot about how to navigate this chapter of my life. As I mentioned in my post, Really Retired, I've finally ended my career as a nurse. Last week, I let go of taking care of my grandson two days a week which I've been doing for over three years. As … Continue reading What do I need now?
Write Your Story
I started creating stories when I was in 6th grade; I was a playwright. My teacher, Miss Thomas encouraged me and even allowed my 'drama club' to perform those plays. Miss Thomas would have been fired if it were 2022; our class scores would have suffered on the end-of-grade testing that wouldn't include items on … Continue reading Write Your Story
Hope: The Feathered Thing
"Hope is the thing with feathers- That perches in the soul" I wish I could claim those words as my own; but I'll give the credit to American poet, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886). Those are the opening lines of her work (254) that she wrote in 1861. This is the poem in its entirety: Hope is … Continue reading Hope: The Feathered Thing
Student of Love: Valentine’s 2022
In the past fourteen months since my divorce, I've become a student of love. Even though I'd been married for forty years, I felt like I needed to go back and take a fresh look. Archived in the things that I've carried in my life are love letters written between my parents. They had twenty-seven … Continue reading Student of Love: Valentine’s 2022
Return of the Heron
We're three weeks into 2022, the New Year's celebrations now becoming faded memories. For some reason, it seems my old Big Blue Heron friend keeps showing up at the nearby ponds. He reminds me of this time last year and the post I wrote New Year, New Beginnings: "I remember again the lone blue heron standing … Continue reading Return of the Heron
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
To Ride in His Car: Online Dating
Over the past year of online dating, I've never once ridden in the car of any of the guys. Part of that is due to the distancing we're doing since the pandemic; I haven't been in the close space of a car with very many people. With online dating it's normal practice to meet for … Continue reading To Ride in His Car: Online Dating
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
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
Connie Rosser Riddle 