“I want to do what I want to do,” announced Thomas, insistently, raising his voice above Amelia’s whines of protest. At four and three, the cousins, close as siblings, are at that age marked by power struggles. Both firstborn of two, they lead naturally. You might call them bossy and you wouldn’t be wrong. They …
Transient
My grandson wanted to roast marshmallows over a campfire but we’ve been in a drought. My dad agreed to build the fire when we came to visit, and in God’s perfect timing, it rained the day before and the day of our visit. He added the wood to fuel the fire before we arrived. By …
Pockets Filled With Holes
If Jacob was gifted cash for his birthday, he knew what he wanted before he ever reached the store. If he received a gift card, he was usually bargaining with his dad before the party was over, ready to trade it for cash because he already had the money spent. As my dad said of …
I’ll Fly Away
Funerals are for the benefit of the living, not for the deceased. Families may find comfort in the condolences, but the greatest comfort is found in the assurances of God in Scripture. I was reminded just this week of the incredible gift of knowing a dear one is eternally secure in the afterlife. This knowledge …
Passionate Commitment
Same dress, same hair, same smile, she shared the stage with the others, but she sat while they stood. She had my heart before I knew her name, just like my grandchildren. I enter a room with my heart extended. I can’t help it. I used to think I simply had a soft spot for …
In An Instant
Just minutes ago, rain and heavy gray clouded the lake behind my house. Puddles stand on the drive and a seven foot king snake seeks shelter along the stonework under my covered porch. The thunder still rumbles in the distance but suddenly the gray gives way to glorious light. My granny would’ve said that the …
No Matter What
The battle of wills has begun in our house. My son is transitioning from baby to toddler and that means advances in many areas. He crawls and climbs. He’s so close to taking his first steps, and we’re working on communicating with words to get what he wants. He’s grown quite accustomed to simply grunting …
All You Need Is One
Buzzer in hand, thumb resting on the alert button. The fingers of my other hand are waffled with my deliberately sleep-deprived teenage son’s. The minutes in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit tick on endlessly. Day one had gone more quickly with settling in, the novelty of watching pediatric floor kid tv, having forty plus leads attached …
Good Night
Good night, God bless you, sweet dreams Last night I struggled to fall asleep again. I’d almost forgotten how frustrating it feels to long for sleep. My body needs rest and my mind agrees so I toss and turn, unable to find stillness. Finally I get up and head for the kitchen, determined to be …
Simultaneously Present
My son and daughter-in-law and I stood on the water’s edge at the coast after dinner this week enjoying a video chat with my daughter and grandson in the mountains. He smiled as he recognized our voices and caught a glimpse of our faces. We watched as he pushed up onto hands and knees, ready …
A Fitting Reply 