Two years ago I went on a two day journey to take my oldest son to college. Today, I am wishing my daughter all the best as she begins the next chapter of her life. I thought she and I had everything covered, all the items she’d need–save for some food items–purchased. HA! We made one trip to the local … Read More
My Daughter’s Boyfriend Has a Controlling Family
My daughter is involved in a controlling relationship with her boyfriend’s family. And sometimes it really bothers me. Like now. Like when they secretly met with her during our family vacation. Yeah. Honestly, though, it’s not quite as surreptitious as that makes it sound, but it’s bad enough. In the winter we told our daughter she could bring a friend … Read More
Thankfully, Life Isn’t Static
Across the road from where I sit, the street light flickers on and off, as it has been since our arrival three days ago. “Dumbledore’s there,” I joked, “watching over us.” I am at the beach. On vacation. With family and some close friends. On Thursday, my friend and I treated ourselves to manicures and pedicures before beginning the process … Read More
Talking About Sex, Teens, Bedrooms (and Raising Sexual Beings)
My college kid’s girlfriend recently came to visit. “That’s fine,” I said, “We’d love to meet her.” “But there’s one stipulation: You can’t share a bedroom.” Now, I’m not naïve. I know many young adults have sex, and these two will soon be twenty-one. Hey, I was once young myself. But I have two teenagers still at home. And one … Read More
Grateful on June 21, 2012
Today, as I navigate the tail end of this Hamster-Wheel month, these are a few things for which I am grateful… Grateful for my children’s sense of humor and their willingness to help out… Grateful for the safe travels of my family who are in town for a visit… Grateful for a husband who isn’t afraid to do a little … Read More
Ripples of Joy
”Are you driving?” my friend frequently asks me when I call her. Usually, I am en route to watch, pick up or deliver one of my children to some event or another. And frequently I can be found walking nearby city streets in an effort to snag a little much-needed exercise. The most recent venue graced me with a walking … Read More
Dear John; How the Sagas of People Like John Edwards and John Travolta Affect People Like Me
I would have voted for you, John Edwards. The All-American Boy who grew up in Small Town America. The Boy Next Door with good ole’ fashioned values and a warm charm that is part and parcel to Southern-style hospitality. As it is, I don’t remember the last time I voted for a U.S. President. Politicians are liars and cheaters and … Read More
Taking Stock of Bullying, It’s Much More Than a Facebook Issue
At the beginning of the school year, the students at our local high school spent a week of assemblies, presentations, and discussions, all on bullying. The hallways are plastered with pledge signs and anti-bullying campaign pieces. Earlier this year, my daughter was involved in a situation where classmates were talking poorly about her on Facebook because she had unfriended them. … Read More
A Bittersweet Birthday
Last month I received a Save the Date notice from a friend whose son was born exactly one week before Gavin. I couldn’t help but smile at how rugged and manly this young man has become. How handsome he was standing next to his glowing bride-to-be. And then, a fleeting sadness passed over me. Ha… Each thought of Gavin’s birthday—today—has … Read More