Kitchen. Cooking. Baking. Heaven. This snowman cookie jar, a Christmas gift from the new mother who babysat my children fifteen years ago, has sat empty on my counter. I’ve been yearning to have a day to myself, one I could spend in the kitchen preparing whatever recipes moved me. I spent yesterday morning baking bread and cookies. One of the … Read More
Kicking Addiction to the Curb
Earlier this week, I ran into a woman I hardly ever see at work. She stood in line next to me with her hand resting on her side, just under her ribcage. I could see the pain she felt in her face as she restrained a cough. Come to find out, she’d been out sick for two weeks. “First I … Read More
Flippin’ Funny
You know the drill. “Gown opens in the back.” Instructions for my recent colonoscopy and upper GI—a Flipper, they call it—however, included additional pieces of attire. “Everything off except your bra, socks, and shoes.” “And there’s a pair of shorts for you to put on,” the nurse said before she left the room. I couldn’t help chuckle at the fashion … Read More
Winter’s Playground
In the midst of an emotionally gut-wrenching, grueling week, these are but a few of the Moments that made me smile. His hat is a giant 50-gallon trashcan! I could just imagine the family’s fun building this guy! I love how the snow seems to cuddle the tree and the lights cast a warm glow across the pair. … Read More
The Floodgates of Resentment from a Damsel in Distress
Three days ago I cried myself to sleep. Crocodile-sized-snot running-down-my-face-and-onto-my-pillow kind of tears. Resentment woke me several times during the night. Resentment brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat over and over the next morning, until I finally told myself that I had to table The Beast and focus on the work at hand. On my … Read More
Cold, Moving Waters
I paused to capture this image on a recent walk with my dog. Cold. Majestic. Picturesque. Soothing. Today, the image inspires this, an original poem. Cold, Moving Waters No matter how frigid Life may seem- ice coursing through frosted veins- Movement melts… warms the surface of its soul… What about you? What moment moved you this week? Stirred a simple … Read More
The Five Love Languages
Home from college, Fave Son introduced me to Gary D. Chapman’s philosophy on love, The 5 Love Languages. We have many common traits, me and that boy of mine. Needless to say, we tend to butt heads and rub each other the wrong way. We had one such heated discussion the other night, but then—by some astounding feat—we settled … Read More
Fun Wintry Frosting
I love the beauty of a fresh snowfall, especially the kind that stays on the ground for a while, the kind where you can still see white after the soot and salt trucks have turned the roads an icky gray. This week has produced several squalls and significant accumulation. On vacation, I have watched the magnificence unfold from my warm … Read More
On Overcoming Loss and Suffering
The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those who are coping with a past loss or are reeling with fresh grief. My heart is heavy for all whose sadness is raw right now.And, yet, the knowledge that we all have the ability to achieve healing lifts me up.I hope this message brings some form of comfort to you, or … Read More
All I Want for Christmas Is…
How would you fill in the blank?All I want for Christmas is_______. “All I need is my son back.” These words from a man whose son died last week. The day after he came home from surgery to repair a birth defect in his heart. The day after he turned twenty-one-years old. A short time after his brother … Read More