They were waiting for us. Everyone was assembled in front of the lake, which was in front of the mountain. Family, lake, mountain. All ready and waiting for us. We arrived at the lodge and texted my family that we were heading out to meet them for the family picture. Greetings were exchanged. Balloons and […]
Category: Comfort
All because a stranger waved at me
It was my daughter’s first day of her sophomore year. But even more importantly, it was her first year attending high school in person, after completing her freshman year virtually due to the pandemic. I’m not sure who was more nervous, but it was probably me. Kendall was so thrilled to be going to school […]
A tale of two grocery carts
I always came prepared. I had my shopping list on my phone, organized by aisle and my usual pattern of strolling through Target. I dutifully checked each box as I dropped each item into the cart, and even when I veered off course to peek at home goods or other fun things, I always came […]
Be kind when you rewind
It was our Friday night go-to, a remnant that lingered from when we were dating. After a long work week, both my husband Matt and I looked forward to a trip to Blockbuster. As soon as we entered the store, it was like Friday-night vibes descended upon us. We relaxed our shoulders. We took deep […]
What visits with Grandma taught me about the power of connection
School days were hectic for our family back then, with four kids all involved in sports, but our Wednesdays were sacred. We had to stay after school for practices or games every other day of the week, but on Wednesdays, no sports teams had practices or games. We looked forward to Wednesday every single week. […]
What gifts teach us about the Giver
Blowing and chasing bubbles on sticky summer days. Riding Big Wheels and Cozy Coupes around the carport as fast as their little legs would allow them to pedal. Listening to favorite books. Laughing at new movies. Eating snacks and baking their own creations. Cuddling with their favorite stuffed animals at naptime, then waking refreshed to […]
Because you say so
Its name was Alby. To this day, no one has been able to figure out why our toddler named her favorite blanket Alby. But Alby, it was. And not only did Alby have a name; Alby had a personality. Scratch that. Alby was a personality. Alby was an attitude, a way for our little girl […]
But the confetti remains
Once we’ve opened the presents, attended the parties, and eaten the extra desserts, and after the stations have stopped playing Christmas music and movies 24/7, it’s time to switch gears. Whereas I have been in elf mode – furiously making lists and checking them twice – soon after Christmas, I switch into cleaning mode. The […]
Bringing a sacrifice of praise
I love an interesting family bookshelf – a good mix of standing books and stacked books, paired with fun and funky treasures picked up here and there. My brother has traveled extensively, so my bookshelves feature knickknacks from places all around the world, along with baby pictures and wedding pictures and clay sculptures my husband […]
A new song
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The music blared from the store’s speakers, determined to get us shoppers in the Christmas spirit. Kids whined and wailed from the prisons of their parents’ carts, determined to get the toys they wanted. My cart itself was determined to veer left, no matter how hard I […]
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