I have four grandchildren. Two sleep with a night light and a white noise machine while two prefer white noise and total darkness. Bedtime is tricky already with four exhausted toddlers trying not to fall asleep by egging each other on but when I switch the lights off entirely, I hear, “You forgot the moon …
Upheld
We waffled over making the two hour drive for the church league softball game. It was so hot when we left and there was a good chance that the team would forfeit without enough players at game time. Sitting behind our grandsons as we watched their dad tag a runner out at first base, I …
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. …
Working Together
Friday’s early morning scheduled garbage pick up means our trash must be gathered on Thursday evenings and placed at the roadside. No matter who carries out the bags, the grandkids always want to help. Maybe it’s simply a ploy to go outside again but Poppy invites their help. He balanced them on one arm in …
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 …
Work In Progress
“I need Mom,” two year old Timothy whined as I hefted him onto the countertop in the bathroom to help him brush his teeth. “I know baby. You’re so sleepy. Lolly’s here,” I replied in my most soothing voice. “I need Mom,” he restated, oblivious to my efforts at consoling him. “Mom’s here, buddy, but …
Worth Imitating
Ezra and I were sharing a yogurt with some granola at the island in the kitchen. Amelia wandered in from the back porch where she had been playing with clay. She climbed up on the kids’ bench at the end of the island and asked to try a bite. She tasted the spoonful I offered …
Make Believe
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 …
Left-Handed
Two year old Timothy’s Cheerios sat untouched in front of him. He had been restless during the night and had only been awake for about ten minutes. His mom had listed his options for breakfast before pouring his cereal and placing it in front of him. Thinking he was still half asleep, I spooned up …
Mothering (and Everything Else) in Christ
Dragonflies lay their eggs on the stems of water plants. A creature that soars begins its life underwater. It sheds its skin again and again for nearly two years, it grows until the day it climbs out of the water and appears to die, a dried carcass, clinging lifeless to a stem until one last …
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