“I’m running low on spoons today.” This is a statement which, at first glance, seems like an odd commentary on one’s silverware inventory. If you dip your toe in the chronic illness community, however, you will quickly understand its meaning. I am many things: A mom, wife, lawyer, Broadway musical enthusiast . . . and…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.” (Gal. 5:22-23 CEB) We have two raspberry patches in our yard. One is by the north fence. We planted it, tend it, cut back the canes, weed the bed, water it,…
Theme parks keep you engaged at every moment with games, rides, shops, parades, food, and—my personal favorite—fireworks. Soon, you forget that you’ve spent all your money, have been waiting in lines for hours, and have serious blisters forming on your feet. All your attention is on the person who just passed by with a fresh…
It started out as one of those mornings. I overslept because needing “five more minutes” turned into a blissful, perfect-way-to-start-the-day twenty-five minutes of sleep. It all went downhill from there. I had to take a quick shower, slap on some deodorant, throw on clothes that were not wrinkle-free, pull together a lunch no one would…
If I’m fortunate this morning, I’m sitting on my deck in a bright yellow Adirondack chair, beginning my day with a cup of Earl Grey. I’m hearing the cardinal’s quick, cheerful chirp. If I’m exceptionally lucky, I see the flash of a ruby chest triangle on a rose-breasted grosbeak at my feeder. I look out…
The past year has been quite a struggle in many ways, and I’d like to say I’ve learned a lot in the process. Truthfully, it’s probably too soon to tell. Between working from home full-time, dealing with the stress of the pandemic, processing my anxiety and past trauma in therapy, and ensuring the stock of…