Sick babies want to be held even after they are on the mend. The comfort of their mother’s arms soothes much of what they cannot control, making the effects of the germ at least bearable. Ezra introduced the stomach bug to his family last week on Thursday. By Sunday night, his dad succumbed and Amelia …
Care and Keeping
Thomas added his weight to Timothy’s against the glass door of the restaurant where we were standing watching the birds outside while their mom gathered her things. The look that danced behind his eyes just before Thomas pressed the palms of both hands against the glass let me know this was sort of an experiment, …
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 Different Sort Of Halloween
Ezra made the cutest little prophet for Fall Festival at our church. My crafty daughter fashioned a giant fish from foam board last year and Thomas gave out candy from inside the belly of the big fish. This year, we borrowed the fish and Ezra played the part of Jonah. I’ll be honest, I expected …
Sleep’s Daily Miracle
“Bye bye,” repeated Ezra, waving to everyone in the room. He wasn’t leaving. He was ready for his nap. At only sixteen months, he’s adept at communicating. When he is hungry, he repeats, “Nak nak,” or he goes to the pantry and begins bringing out whatever he can reach. When he’s ready to play outside, …
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. …
Hand and Feet Washing
My kids are quick studies. They know when bringing their kids to the grandparents, never dress them in good clothes. Play clothes, mismatched odds and ends or soon to be outgrown and already stained, are preferable. Of course I try to be conscientious. I’ll run a load of laundry once the grandkids are in bed …
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 …
Pockets Filled With Holes
“Do you have a pocket? No. Would you like for me to hold that for you until you’ve finished building?” I accompanied my daughters and grandkids to a local hardware store’s monthly kids building event. The toddlers were chomping at the bit to begin pounding away with their pint sized hammers while their moms unfolded …
A Fitting Reply 