Have you ever lain awake at night thinking about something you did years ago that still eats at you? Have you convinced yourself too much time has passed for reconciliation? I have. I’ve spent hundreds of hours over the decades regretting my choices. I’ve also spent too many hours dwelling in a wounded heart. Both…
Nearly twenty years ago, my husband, Russ, officiated his first wedding. Somewhere in the planning process I was asked to help coordinate the festivities, but I forgot to mention one thing about the end of the ceremony. It’s customary for the guests to remain seated as the entire wedding party makes its way out of…
I sat at a table with two women. One of them mentioned how much my youngest daughter has grown over the past few months, how much she must have changed while my husband was away for his job. He was gone for four months. “Yes,” I mused. “Yes. She changed a lot. Those were some…
“Grandpa has been sent to hospice.” The text message was simple and not unexpected. It came from my mom in the morning, and though saddened, I took it in stride. I continued my daily tasks as Mommy, with plans to visit my grandfather that evening. Just before heading over, I called my dad to get…
A few months ago, my family of five pale Ohioans spent an afternoon at Daytona Beach. The conditions were perfect: the sun shone without melting us, the water temperature was refreshing, and people milled about without overcrowding. We set up on the beach, sun-screened ourselves, and settled in for hours of fun. We played in…
Every couple hundred miles, my sister and I stilled as we watched Mom rifle through the box of magic at her feet. Before long, she’d reach into the backseat with new treasures from her hidden trove, specifically chosen for each of us—a favorite candy bar or new cassette tape, a Mad Libs book or a…