Dear Mom

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Dear Mom

It’s Mother’s Day again, and the reality of your absence is magnified a hundred times over. I miss you so very much. For the past few weeks, I found myself slowing down every time I passed by the special stand in the store where all the beautiful Mother’s Day cards were displayed. For a moment, lost in a brief reverie, I’d reach out to pick up a card for you – a card that would tell you how very much I love you – just like I used to do every Mother’s Day for forty-five years, Mom. But then the magic moment would fade as if carried away on gossamer wings. Continue reading →

Shopping, Kids, Gravity & Superheroes, Part 2

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Previously on my blog we laughed our way through the aisles of two stores while my two oldest girls, Lisa and Lindy, learned a little bit about Sir Isaac Newton’s Law of Gravity. This time we’ll find out how my two youngest kids tried their hand at science while I attempted to get some shopping done. And the results were equally conclusive: A BIG MESS!

In case you missed Part 1, click here.

So fast-forward nine years. My third daughter, Lori, made it all the way to the ripe old age of seven before she took her turn. And, bless her heart, I’m convinced that the offense was in no way premeditated. Because so many years had gone by, I’d long since let down my guard. Continue reading →

Shopping, Kids, Gravity & Superheroes, Part 1

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Wise Men

The law of gravity…a basic scientific principle with which all four of my kids shared a fixed fascination. Funny how this phenomenon seemed to find its greatest impetus during our shopping excursions. And how interesting that their experiments with this natural force always got the same results. From watermelons to bubble bath and a couple of items in between, I quickly found out that when a child’s curiosity and gravity work together, it’s bound to wreak havoc in any given store while Mommy shops. Continue reading →

Spiritual Appetizers

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Appetizer (noun) 1. an hors d’oeuvre 2. a mere taste of something that leaves one craving more.

Trencher (noun)  1. flat round of old, stale bread used as a plate in medieval times. 2. wooden platter for serving meat or other food.

One of my favorite stories from childhood before I could even read remains a favorite to this day—maybe more so now that I’m able to dig deep and understand its meaning. It’s John Bunyan’s allegorical book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, published in 1678. There’s a passage in Part II where Christiana and her entourage are guests at the home of a man named Gaius. Continue reading →