Not What I Want

I experience claustrophobia in moving crowds, more particularly behind moving crowds. When the way ahead is clear, I breathe easier. When my way is blocked by a wall of humanity, even though we are all moving in the same direction, I hold my breath and make a dash for the nearest opening. Shopping malls have …

Out With The Old

Thomas and I crossed the restaurant to speak to a group of ladies, friends I hadn’t seen in several years. He clung to me bashfully, face against my shoulder, until one of the others used her experienced grandmother voice to draw him out. After that, he was all smiles and we all laughed at the …

Speaking From Experience

James and John were fishermen by trade, the rough and tumble sons of Zebedee. With these two, everything must have been a competition. Jesus chose them to be among his closest followers and nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder.” (Mark 3:17) Even before they were called out by the Christ, these boys must have been pretty …

Venting

My youngest was the last of my children living at home until his marriage nearly two years ago. Jacob and I became venting partners during those last few years after his sister married and left home. Prior to his brain surgeries for his epilepsy, he didn’t drive and I was his Uber to work and …

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 …

Addlepated

I stood in my kitchen, frozen, unable to pinpoint the reason I’d walked so deliberately from the other room. I looked around then retraced my steps. Nothing. Something I’d been reading triggered a thought with purpose and intention and I’d acted on it immediately, not wanting to forget. Did I need to add an item …