writing when inspired about the often overlooked
My husband and I were alone on Thanksgiving. “It’s all good,” I told someone yesterday. “Our children and grandchildren are with their other families. Well, one is still in Ethiopia. We expect to have her here with us soon.” I missed my mom and my dad. They are gone now, as are my siblings, taken…
(Carol and Gordon, April 5, 2005) On this, the 10th anniversary of her husband’s death, my sister-in-law, Carol, has agreed to share an excerpt here from her recently written series of reflections on the first year of being a widow. Yeah, it gets confusing, both of us being Carol and all. Her excellent booklet, “Checking…
Second in a series of “No Quick, Easy Answers” for my Memoir. Â (read about “Remembering” HERE) Â While the story will be more complete for my family, I share here what I learned about drooping tulips and forgiveness. * * * Recently an acquaintance and I were talking about forgiveness. She had received unsettling news….
OR When I Am Afraid I’m depending Too Much on Others As If God Isn’t Enough Psalm 77 has long been one of my favorite Psalms. Opening with a desperate cry to God for help, the writer pleads to be heard. Losing hope, he wonders “How long, Lord, how long.† Finding comfort elusive, in desperation…
Dear Family, I am going to include this in our family memoir. Maybe those reading this here on my blog will also enjoy learning more about these things that make it easier for me to sit down, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard as I tell you my story. “A practice is an…
An Open Letter to My Family on Why I Write Psalm 78:1-8 a Loose Paraphrase (Scripture in Bold Italic) Listen to me, hear what I am saying. I am going to tell you stories and will share things I have heard and know, things that my ancestors told me. I do not want to hide…
A letter written to my sons on Mother’s Day. Yeah, I know it is July and way past Mothers’ Day. Today, May 9, 2015,  I celebrate my 33rd Mother’s Day. Three sons Three Daughters in Law Ten grandchildren And one husband who started it all with me. “Be a mother” was #3 on my dream list. #1…
It seems I have taken an unintended Sabbatical. (You can read my last post by clicking HERE.) I am excited to be back here in this writing space. Recently my counselor suggested I remember a time/place where I felt Jesus present with me and to stay in that place. I knew right away what it would…
Last year we started the tradition (doing it the second time makes it a tradition, right?) of hiding the Baby Jesus from the nativity sets I have around the house and having the children find them, bringing them back to the Nativity set. Then the children listen to Grandpa “read†the Luke 2 Christmas story. …
First, you pursue us with blood maples and tease us with your decadent, hazy light. Then you weave through the woods like the scent of decay that surrounds us with every step. Light bathes from above, so plentiful that not even the blood maples or the honey oaks can soak it all up before it…