It seemed destined to fail from the start. My three young adult kids decided to start a new tradition. Rather than purchasing ready-made, they wanted to make Christmas gifts for each family member. None of them lived here. They were all busy with college finals and new jobs right up until they … [Read more...] about When Christmas Feels Like a Catastrophe
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Finding God in Soggy Cereal & Cold Coffee
As a kid, I was pretty good at math. Not to brag, but I won my fair share of chalkboard arithmetic races. So I could usually finish my homework in class or during study hall. But I chose not to. Instead, I saved my long division to work on during the nearly hour-long bus ride home or while I … [Read more...] about Finding God in Soggy Cereal & Cold Coffee
Tweaking Tradition, Part 1
Tradition is not a neutral word. Like college football, or Jesus, or anything political, it evokes a strong emotion, reflecting how traditions have played out in our lives. I, too, have had a love-hate relationship with traditions over the past few years. The following article was first … [Read more...] about Tweaking Tradition, Part 1
Weeds and Warnings, Part I
This week I am preparing for a speaking event and next week I will be at the Cleveland Clinic for a heart check. So I am taking this opportunity to post a piece that was selected and originally appeared on the Kindred Mom website a few weeks ago. It tells the story of my own disease, … [Read more...] about Weeds and Warnings, Part I
Becoming Mom
Tomorrow is May 1: May Day, my sister’s birthday, my youngest daughter’s birthday. May also brings the National Day of Prayer and, outside of the last day of school, the best occasion: Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day always brings a flood of memories to us empty-nesting moms. We can still remember … [Read more...] about Becoming Mom
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