Last Sunday evening, I lost a person who's been very important in my life, Betty. She was my Rosser cousin who was sixteen years older than me and from my earliest memories she's always been there. She had a brief illness and then died with her family surrounding her. While she was 86 years old, … Continue reading Remembering Betty: A Life of Love and Legacy
grief
For the Love of Mama and Puppies
On this weekend when we celebrate our mothers, I'm remembering Mama and some of what made her special. Mama was born in 1923 and lived on a farm where all the animals were kept outside. Her family had cows, pigs, chickens, mules, barn cats -- and likely, a collie dog -- which would have been … Continue reading For the Love of Mama and Puppies
Happy 99th Birthday, Mama!
Today would have been Mama's 99th birthday. She died in April of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic--not from Covid but from a natural end-of-life after years of decline from dementia. Our family was lucky that the disease did not impact her personality as it does with many; she remained a gentle and kind … Continue reading Happy 99th Birthday, Mama!
A Life Like Hers: Paying Tribute to Mama
Late Thursday afternoon, I was honored to be with Mama as she passed from this life to her eternal home. It was that difficult and deep time of witnessing someone you love take their last breaths, while you watched that mystery unfolding, knowing this was a transition you couldn't experience with them. She was in … Continue reading A Life Like Hers: Paying Tribute to Mama
Not a Usual Christmas
Christmas trees have always been one of my favorite traditions of this holiday season. Recently, I toured the Biltmore House in Asheville during the special Downton Abbey Exhibition. The tour guide told us there were seventy decorated trees inside the house and seventy outside. Because of the massive rooms with high ceilings, most of the … Continue reading Not a Usual Christmas
Step Forward on Your New Path
Last Thursday afternoon, with my belly full of Thanksgiving turkey, cornbread  dressing, sweet potatoes, topped off by apple-pecan pie a la mode, I drove through the country toward the Eno River State Park. The weather was perfect for a hike--  sunny and fifty-seven degrees with a gentle breeze. There were still touches of fall foliage … Continue reading Step Forward on Your New Path
Grace for the Journey
In my post last week, "41st Anniversary: Not What I Expected" I shared the news that my life has greatly changed, that my husband and I have separated. Since then, I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from my family, friends, and readers. This time in my life has reminded me of … Continue reading Grace for the Journey
New Beginnings: Moving Beyond the Gap
In last week's post, I left you sitting in The Gap, encouraging you to allow yourself to feel that anxiety that comes with uncertainty, finding a resting spot in that trough between Endings and New Beginnings (see Forced Endings: Struggling in The Gap) New Beginnings is that last stage of Bill Bridges Map for Change where … Continue reading New Beginnings: Moving Beyond the Gap
Hope and a Future
A new chapter in our lives began six years ago when Mama went to live at Parkview Retirement Village in Sanford, our hometown. That day when we three sisters took Mama and faced the reality that we could no longer keep her safely in her home, was one of the most difficult days of my … Continue reading Hope and a Future
Sad Stories along the Road
Not all the stories of the people in my path are humorous or entertaining; there are some that are heavy, racked with pain that is real and truly part of our human experience. Over the last few days we’ve been alarmed and saddened by the tragic suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, and the … Continue reading Sad Stories along the Road
Connie Rosser Riddle 