I have chosen, with God's help, to walk a journey of Thankfulness this month. It is a practice that is cultivated. It requires digging deep and reflection. Finding things to be thankful for is not always easy. There are things to gripe and complain about. Rights violated, feelings hurt, fairness not applied. This is what makes the world turn. Injustices. Anger. Greed. Getting ahead. At all cost. Glamour and prestige. The spotlight. Yet isn't that what Jesus fought the whole time he was here on ... View Post
What I Missed This Christmas
I'm pretty sure I took no pictures. I don't have a camera and my cell phone has too many photos. I felt off the whole day. Most of the day I really wanted to be alone. Me; the extrovert. Alone. I watched endless episodes of "Gilmore Girls"; not stopping until I looked at my watch, horrified that it was past the time to go to bed. The house; a wreck. I hardly picked up a thing. I go to bed with an empty feeling. It's not until the morning, when I walk out into the living room and survey the ... View Post
His Stocking is Empty; But The Manger Isn’t (a repost from 12-25-13)
His stocking is empty. The stocking I made to match with Cedric's. A stocking I have filled for 17 precious years. Stockings that were 4 and then became 8 and this year would have been 9. But after 17 years. It is empty. It hangs limp, while all the others burst from the seams; awaiting their precious owners. But it's not about the stockings, or the tree. It's not about the presents; but His presence. And as I stepped outside this morning, the heavens declared their Majesty. The moon and the stars in all their bright, ... View Post
She’s Growing Up And I Am Powerless to Stop It
She flashes those baby blues. She is beautiful. She has grown inches over the past year. All the kids have. Death and cancer have that effect. Her tender heart still unsure. Her writing reflecting her struggle. She turns 12 today. Her last year before the teens. And I marvel at how she has grown. How this little baby born on one of the holiest of nights, has turned into a lovely young woman. Her smile lights up a room. She is the first to snuggle of all our kids. Her ... View Post
She Loved God, She Loved Purple; She Was Our Mom
She loved purple. She loved God. She and my dad fought most of their married life. Good old knock down drag out fights. Yet loved fiercely. They stayed true to the institution of marriage. Maybe that was the secret. Things weren't left undone. For better, or worse. Her home was immaculate. She and my dad built their dream log cabin in the woods. They had plans to travel. God had other plans. She would travel; but mostly only as far as Boston and to the inside of a hospital. Cancer would be her companion for 9 ... View Post