Category: 2017
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Expecting the Unexpected
My hubby and I are ardent planners. Over the last 19 years, we’ve come to value having a roadmap for our journey together. Buying a one-story home we can easily maneuver later in our golden years? Yep. Having two kids, 3 years apart so “they could play together?” Uh-huh. Career moves that let us balance…
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About Those Masks …
Every October 31st, we went a-begging for candy. And what fun it was: Putting on makeup and wigs and masks and whatever else was required to become a werewolf, princess or superhero. By the time I was about 10, I preferred to be any character that didn’t require wearing a mask. More specifically, those plastic…
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Road Bumps
So, the other day, I messed up. Hubby was out of town overnight, so I was parent-on-point. I looked at the calendar. Only one Saturday morning activity? No problem, I thought. I got this. Well, it turns out that I didn’t “got this.” Our son was scheduled to play his first game with a new…
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Back to Basics
Writer’s Note, 8.31.2017: I wrote this post a week ago, but held on sharing it. Doing so seemed insensitive in the face of tragedy and devastation due to Hurricane Harvey. But, I’m posting it now, without hesitation. Why? Because, especially in extremely difficult times as this, we really don’t have time to mistreat, dislike or…
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Bees & Buttons
I’ve always been industrious, busy as a bee. As a kid, I could keep myself occupied for hours by creating art using typing paper, tape and crayons. As a teen, I stayed busy with homework, school clubs, music, and church. And none of that changed as a young adult. Yet, I’m not a high-energy person.…
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Hurry Up and Wait
You’re driving long distance to an event—perhaps a business conference or a friend’s graduation—and time is of the essence. You prepared well. You packed up needed items, placed the mail on hold, and hit the road on time. “I’ve got snacks and a full tank of gas. No need to even stop,” you brag to…
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A Matter of Trust
“Mom, my throat hurts.” Recent words from our son. While it’s not earth shattering by a long shot, a sore throat is out of the ordinary for him. He has never, ever complained of having one. I thought, a brand new symptom? Stop the presses. Something’s off. My mom ears perked up 100%. And 2…
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It Ain’t Over
At 86, my dad is playing checkers again – after at least a 65+ year hiatus. My sister and I have never, ever seen Dad play checkers. He was way too busy raising us – cooking, doing the yard work, fixing whatever was broken, serving at church, working as a school principal, making visitors feel…
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All Shook Up
Do you ever wish life only offered lovely sunshine and little birds singing – you know, skipping the blizzards and buzzards of life? I do. But Life chuckles and says, “Blizzards and buzzards show up because easy moments alone won’t help you grow.” And I gotta agree. We can be oh-so stubborn, especially when…
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True Love
My hubby gets me. On Valentine’s Day, he surprised me with a funny greeting card and a heart-shaped box of miniature Kit Kats. No jewelry. No shopping spree. No flowers. And I loved him for it. Why? Because it was the icing on the cake after countless moments he’s helped my dad up and down…
