Two days before Amelia’s second birthday, Ezra Benjamin was born. Amelia mothered him from the beginning. From her younger brother to her youngest cousins, she adores a baby. When Ezra was old enough to demand more of their mom’s time and attention, Amelia often reverted to baby talk, seeking the attention that was once hers …
Reflected
Not long before Caroline’s college graduation, her first grade teacher confided that she would hold onto Caroline’s crayons during their weekly tests. Once Caroline had answered all of the written questions, she gave the crayons back and six year old Caroline colored steadily until the rest of the class was finished. Even at such a …
Imagine
“Are you here with my strawberry ice cream?” my dad asked the young man entering his room. His smile was answer enough as he strode over to place the small styrofoam cup and plastic spoon in my dad’s outstretched hand. Daddy deposited the treat on his bedside table and said, “Take my hand.” The young …
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 …
Perishable
I grew up eating trash can omelets, my daddy’s way of cleaning out the refrigerator. We just called them omelets. During college, our late night study group frequented a local diner where I discovered the name on a menu. Somewhat less original, Tupperware included a recipe on their website for “Clean Out-the-Fridge” Veggie Strata – …
Peace
“Tree! Crash! Boom! Bang!” Ezra fairly shrieked, little hands motioning above his head. We were playing on the front porch together when the last two aged hardwoods came down. We waited for spring to see how they would fill out before deciding to take them down. Once they were on the ground and the rotted …
Don’t You Care?
“How is it Tuesday already?” I wondered, not for the first time. I am keenly aware that we all share the same twenty-four hour days rotating around the sun but some days and weeks, some seasons just feel different. Sometimes time seems to stand still and then it flies warp speed ahead. When sharing a …
They Never Stopped
Amelia discovered my hardcover copy of Six By Seuss saved from her daddy’s childhood and she asks to read the Lorax and more recently, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas every single time she visits. Never one to sit still for long, she is dogged when it comes to finishing these two stories in a sitting. …
What’s Really In My Heart?
I’ve noticed Amelia repeating herself lately and it occurred to me that she mostly does this when she has something she wants to say but she doesn’t feel she has my attention. She begins a sentence and you might think she is struggling with processing as she repeats the first phrase multiple times before continuing …
Faithful Keeping
My lone son in law, like my husband, is pursuing a career in medicine. He is beginning his ninth year of postgraduate work with one additional year to go. The training experiences and constant testing are overwhelming at times. I know the load I’ve seen my husband bear in order to attain the degrees and …
