My four grandchildren squeezed into the two foot by two foot by three foot cubby near the floor meant to hold audio video equipment for a home theater in our room above the garage. The shelves and door were never installed. A hand-painted blue and green tree lined canvas rests against the back wall secreting …
Follow Me
“Why are we whispering?” Amelia asked, leaning in closer. “Listen.” I whispered. “Do you hear the birds? Do you hear the wind?” She was watercolor painting a butterfly outside and she had nearly finished one side but she was distracted by her little brother as he climbed up and down from his chair. In an …
Outrun You
“Beat you! Beat you!” Ezra’s high pitched squeals echoed the others across the backyard. He runs with his whole body, belly out, arms back, vibrato in his voice keeping rhythm with his bounding steps. The slight grade of our backyard pushes him faster until I’m afraid he may face plant. Still he runs. Amelia challenged …
Shortsighted
“Timothy, would you like to help Lolly?” I invited. The others were caught up in their own game on a cluster of ride on toys on one side of the room. Timothy stood a little aside, sleepy and frustrated that he had not gotten to the zebra ride on first. In an instant, I was …
Want or Need
With a pair grandsons tottering into the twos at roughly the same time, my daughters have each determined to nix nap time when at all possible. Some days, naps are still essential but days are measured on a case by case basis. Four children under five is more manageable when the weather is mild and …
Lead Well
Monkey see, monkey do. We make animal sounds for babies to repeat when identifying animals long before they can say the names. We sing head, shoulders, knees and toes and teach little ones to identify eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Young children learn through mimicry but it can be taken to an extreme by their …
Moved
“I don’t know how you and dad have moved so many times, Mom,” Jacob half groaned as he passed me with yet another armload of boxes. “We’ve moved a crazy amount of stuff and we’re still not done!” Their closing is one day away and it’s crunch time. They sold, shared, and donated what seemed …
Yes and Amen
The first time I saw someone agreeing in prayer, I was younger than ten. I know because my family moved with my dad’s job and I started fifth grade in a new school. Being almost ten and starting over at the end of elementary school was tough but not nearly as difficult as my sister’s …
Sinking Sand
Our lawn care team discovered a cavernous sink hole in our backyard two days after Christmas. When they first communicated it to us, my husband assumed it was a spot near the back gate that he’s been watching for the past year. He stepped into a hole while carrying a boat battery across the yard …
Under Authority
Amelia would make an excellent podcast or talk show host. She pulled her little chair up in front of mine in the garage today while Ezra was napping and said candidly, “Yolly, I want to ask you a question.” “What would you like to know?” I asked. “What does a snake eat?” she queried. “Mostly …
A Fitting Reply 