Our grandson was fishing across the lake with his friend when the thunderhead began forming to the southwest. I was away for the day but my husband was in the backyard with the dog when the wind began to pick up. Storms move fast over water and by the time Paul was inside, the first …
Stubborn Refusal
“I’m sorry. I completely forgot.” My daughter waited for me to return to the room where she was nursing the baby. I walked across the house to put away a few stray items and became distracted by several things at once. Half an hour later, she emerged, baby in her arms, searching for me and …
Strength of Bread
When I was a teenager, my Granny decided it was time I learned to make her Sunday biscuits, a staple at every family gathering. She sat at the kitchen table and watched, giving me step by step directions as I gathered and added the ingredients and began to work the dough. Before I felt I …
In The Know
I took one required geography course in college and nearly failed the test on the continent of Africa because the atlas I used to study was out of date. Things change quickly in some parts of the world and by the time this particular volume came to print, it was probably already obsolete. There are …
The Right Words
“No, thank you!” Thomas said for the third time, his little voice steadily rising with each repetition. He is learning to respond with manners, at least with the right words, but he’s still getting the hang of appropriate responses. Like when he first learned he needed to ask for something he wanted but he still …
Employed & Exhausted
My youngest child taught me many things but one lesson in particular has come in handy with grandchildren. I was reminded of it when I read a piece of parenting advice recently. Summer days are long and older toddlers who have mostly given up napping need to be employed and exhausted daily or no one …
Can God Read?
“G-O-D, God,” read Thomas. It’s the first sight word I taught him, and why not? It’s the most important word to know, for him and for you and for me. It’s the beginning of understanding everything. Origin of man and the universe? God. Giver of life? God. Sustainer, Creator, Provider, Author, Purpose-Giver, Indwelling Spirit. The …
God’s Obedient Child
“No!” he intoned, and stomped his little foot. Today he did not want to change out of his pajamas. Yesterday he didn’t want to use the potty. The day before, he wanted dessert but he wouldn’t even taste his dinner. Why is this one syllable so easy to learn to use? Why not, “yes, Mom! …
Caught Off Guard
“We won’t melt,” I said to my daughter as the sprinkling rain came. The overcast sky had been threatening all day but we’d finally pulled our chairs outside along with the sand box and the water table. Thomas’s front was already soaked from play so we sat, half an hour or more, in the drizzle, …
Best Advice My Mom Ever Gave Me- Part 1
“Let’s get a Frosty!” said Jacob for the second day in a row as he climbed into the car at the elementary school. “Not today, buddy,” I said. “But why not?” he whined. “We’ve had our after school treat for this week,” I reminded him, “plus I don’t have any cash.” “Just use that plastic …
A Fitting Reply 