Recently, while I was visiting my daddy in the small hospital in my hometown, I noticed the names of the longer-term patients posted outside their hospital room doors. These patients were more than a room number; they had names. I thought about how caring that was, to make patients feel more at … [Read more...] about The Hard Work of Waiting
blessing
Of Scales and Chandeliers
I had a feeling in my gut that we shouldn’t have been playing with a ball in that room. Grandma Steinbacher’s fancy living room was not a place for rough-housing with its uncomfortable furniture and crystal chandelier. I was sure, although the rest of their farmhouse looked a lot like mine, this … [Read more...] about Of Scales and Chandeliers
Longing for Home
We have (over)loaded the car: suitcases, dog crate, snacks, laptop. We have filled the gas tank for the 600-mile roundtrip. We have adjusted the thermostat and locked the doors. We are headed home. Even as middle-aged empty nesters, my husband and I still say we are going “home” when we mean we … [Read more...] about Longing for Home
The Split
My husband hasn’t always been the slim marathon runner he is today. He was a chunky little guy growing up, Sears Husky jeans with reinforced knees cut down short. One summer he invested his careful savings in a Styrofoam surfboard at Duckwall’s. Even though his mother was skeptical about the … [Read more...] about The Split
One Year Later: A Divinely Personal Path
Most of my life I have wanted to be someone else. It started with wanting to be my older sister, and then in Kindergarten I had others I aspired to be. My Best Day Ever arrived when Mrs. Coffey was out sick and we had a substitute teacher. It was picture day, and all the students sported their … [Read more...] about One Year Later: A Divinely Personal Path
A Different Kind of Loss in Kansas City
I lost my wedding ring while visiting my daughter and son-in-law in Kansas City. I detest losing things. After three solid hours of combing through their small house (for four of us, twelve man-hours), I came to the realization that I may be leaving Kansas City without it. Another mother my age … [Read more...] about A Different Kind of Loss in Kansas City