At this point in the year, I am yearning to plant something, anything. We have been living in a world of ice and snow, wind and frost for months. My fingers ache to dig into warm soil. My nose longs to smell the dark, rich earth. My garden is planned; my seeds have been ordered…
My favorite jeans are starting to cut into my waist in an uncomfortable way. The grocery order keeps getting delayed when we’re already out of milk. The dog has gotten into the trash again. My kids carry individual sadnesses I can’t fix for them. It’s rainy and cold. My hip aches at night sometimes. People…
Growing up in Florida, I never experienced four distinct seasons. When I migrated north in my late thirties, I quickly realized I did not care for snow, but I was captivated by the daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths that seemed to burst from the ground just as the snow melted. It still fascinates me that, after…
I have a peace lily that has moved with our family across the United States a few times. Lately, the leaves have turned brown, and I’ve had to water more often. The peace lily is known for its low-maintenance classification and its ability to purify the air. Even its pruning process is low-maintenance—just simple deadheading….
One opportunity virtual school has created for my teenage sons is the ability to step outside of “class” and walk into my home office to ask a question or share whatever thought crosses their mind. It doesn’t happen often, but the questions my sons wrestle with these days aren’t lighthearted. They wonder why some people…
I spent 2020 assessing my faith. Here are some of the questions I asked myself: How many of my beliefs are actually based on what’s in the Bible? How much of my faith is rooted in my own concept of Christianity? How much is born out of my culture or my life experiences? It was…