The other day, I was jamming along to tunes from the 60s in my car, when I was swept away in an instant to childhood by the tune What the World Needs Now Is Love. Perhaps I should explain. My sisters and I loved to have shopping days with my mom. We lived out in […]
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. […]
Busted – when our hearts speak
She would sweep up to the front of the classroom, her long skirt rustling, her glorious curls bouncing. She wore colorful reading glasses on a beaded string like a necklace, was quick to laugh at the antics of her students, and was always excited to teach us something new in biology. Ever-present coffee cup in […]
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 […]
Lessons from an amusement park
It’s coming. If it hasn’t happened yet, it will soon. It happens every Christmas season. You’ve shopped and wrapped and decorated and baked. You’ve been holly jolly and rocked around the Christmas tree until your head is spinning. You’ve made every effort to capture the spirit of the season and be present for every sweet […]
A glorious exchange – what we can learn from the angels in the nativity story
It was solemn business. With Christmas around the corner, Mom and Dad brought us four kids into the living room and had us sit down on the sofa. “We are going to draw names,” Mom explained. “There are four names in here, all folded up, one for each of you. And the name you pick […]
You’ve got mail – what we can learn from the shepherds in the nativity story
Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life – well, valuable, but small – and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it or because I haven’t been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn’t it be the […]
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