Amelia has already staked her claim on a bedroom in her new house. We watched as the foundation was poured and the walls went up. The doors and windows stand ready in the garage, waiting to be installed. Giant metallic limbs spiral down from the attic like an overgrown octopus held back by a net …
Who Is Your Yes?
“Daddy’s not here,” I told Jake on my way from the kitchen to the laundry room for the third time in half an hour. His head pops up anytime I walk near the garage door between eleven and two. His internal clock keeps trying to push dinner earlier and earlier. “You can wait until at …
Level
“There’s something wrong with your level, Papa,” my nephew, Caden said after applying it repeatedly to the surface of one board after another of the foundation of my niece, Ava’s tiny home. My dad, who is overseeing the ongoing construction project, learned contracting mostly from his dad but also from his father in law, my …
Wish I Had Known
I spent Sunday morning in the emergency room at my local hospital being evaluated for any and everything that may have caused floaters to appear abruptly in my right eye. After observing no facial drooping, having me extend first one arm and leg and then the other and comparing my grip strength, the triage nurse …
Skewed
Our Great Dane, Jake is so big that every other dog looks, well, not so big. I’ve been shadowed by Jake with his long legs and massive body for the past eight years until my dad’s Labrador Retriever, Buddy, who is fairly large for a Lab resembles a Welsh Corgi. When my dad was hospitalized …
Ultimate Freedom
“Your daddy preached a good sermon this morning,” my mom confided, concern heavy in her voice. “But all afternoon he’s been resting in his recliner and he’s gone to bed early. I think he must have the flu.” We had planned to take the four grandchildren to see their great grandparents on Monday and my …
I Hope I Never Forget
When I see my sons and daughters with my grandchildren, I get glimpses of their childhoods. When their children struggle with discipline or sleep patterns, I wish I could remember more of what I tried that worked or that didn’t but there are so many blanks in my memory of my early years of parenting. …
The Lie That Keeps Deceiving
“That’s what you want. Are you sure?” I asked before ordering Amelia’s ice cream. “Because I’m having this one with chocolate, peanut butter, banana, and almonds,” I added, pointing to the picture on the menu. “Ezra is sharing with me. You could share with us,” I offered one last time. “I don’t like chocolate,” she …
Remember Your Roots
“The boys have loved watching the seven and a half minute video you made of us bringing Timothy home from the hospital,” my daughter told me during a recent visit. “Do you have it on your phone, Lolly?” asked Thomas, joining the conversation. We sat down together on the sofa as I opened my Google …
For the Beauty of the Earth
A sea of green waves triumphantly where for more than two years red clay painted the torn landscape in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. What was washed and rutted, a daily reminder of the storm’s devastation, is gradually becoming a perfectly situated oasis. Construction is expected to begin in the next few weeks on our …
