CONNECTING HEARTS THROUGH WORDS
I drove my daughter to school today in our well-used, ocean mist Honda Odyssey van. It's rusted in a few spots; dented in the rear from our sons' driver education days; and smelly from transporting dogs and athletes, wet snow boots, skis, bathing suits, and God knows what else. That old van is worn out... Continue Reading →
After I'd kissed and tucked him in, he sat up and said very sweetly, "Mom, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you smell bad at night. I don't know why ... I don't want to hurt your feelings though." I gargled with mouthwash and put some perfume on. I went back into his... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I visited the cemetery where my dad was laid to rest in 1985. I hadn't planned to stop there, but construction and a wrong turn after dropping my mom at the airport led me on an adventure through the city of Chicago and then to the highway that passed his exit. I settled in... Continue Reading →
She was speaking to a ballroom overflowing with women but, at that moment, it was as if I was the only one there. I saw her final question "What is God leading you to do?" float slowly above me until suddenly, wham, I felt like I was hit over the head. "Adoption." That's what I... Continue Reading →
Like putting sore, tired feet in front of the fire, homeschooling has brought peace and rejuvenation to our hearts and to our household. And sleep! Ahhhh, did I mention sleep? We were running on caffeine and fumes for far too long, and this past winter I finally saw the light. We had a cold evening last... Continue Reading →
I put this letter in the mail today and hope to hear back: Dear Mr. Allen Smith, We've had the great privilege of staying at several of your amazing hotels. We think the Four Seasons are the most luxurious on the planet. My husband's company often uses your properties for their incentive trips. We've been... Continue Reading →
For the dear life of me, I couldn't justify the hateful looks I was getting from the woman a few people ahead of me at the check-out line. My daughter and I had been driving by one of our favorite stores and decided to pull in to buy a needed gift. She grabbed her new... Continue Reading →
I once read that you start saying goodbye to your child the moment you give birth. Trusting another to watch them for an hour, their first crawl and first steps, the beginning of pre-school, start of kindergarten, first time sleeping away from home—on and on the goodbyes go. The initial times my younger son and... Continue Reading →
I'm having an affair. I should feel very, very guilty ... but I don't. He's a married father of three. I'm also married with three children. I happen to know his children very well. In fact, I've known his wife my whole life. I am her, she is me. I'm having an affair with my... Continue Reading →
Craig and I locked hands during the ceremony. We were touched to see Brett and Collin serve as ushers, and Brett escort Craig's sister, the mother of the bride, down the aisle to her seat. Marina soaked in every second and loved seeing her cousin appear with her adoring dad, our brother-in-law, by her side.... Continue Reading →
I awoke to the alarm this morning at five thirty, heart pounding, with a list of things I must accomplish today running through my head. First off, dentist appointment. Next, dress, gift, and grocery shopping before returning home to clean the bathroom. Then, send a card, finish emails, and make a meal to bring to... Continue Reading →
It began in the spring of 1985. Actually, let me back up. It began, specifically, at 12:30 a.m. on December 26, 1984—the first time Craig and I said "I love you" to one another. I was a month over seventeen, a senior in high school, and Craig had just turned nineteen the week before, a... Continue Reading →