Designing a life of peace, joy and laughter.
Last Friday all of Michigan was a shade of gray, including my mood. It was a heavy-heart week during which I had had some harsh words for God and for some people I care about. I told Jamie that I’d pick up some flowers at Trader Joe’s so we’d have something cheerful in the house … Continue reading How did she know?
It is Christmas morning in the early 1980’s. My older sister Chriss and I are in our long winter nightgowns and bedhead, surrounded by mint-green wrapping paper, halfway through the presents under the tree. Dad’s coffee is steaming in his hands, and Mom walks into the living room with Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and a stack … Continue reading Memory Makers, Part 1.
On December 23, 2013, my dad took me to Meijer. We were due to have our fourth baby in about a week. Dad heard me say that we were ready for the baby, but we just needed one more thing – one of those Velcro swaddle blankets. There was a winter storm going strong outside, … Continue reading Weight.
“Don’t Forget: He has most who needs least. Don’t create needs for yourself.”- Josemaria Escriva, 1928 My husband asked me what I want for Christmas. To “make it easier” for him, I decided to list a bunch of things I would like to have and let him choose what to buy. Immediately the following things … Continue reading The Power of Wanting Less
Last week there was an empty Jarritos bottle in the cupholder of my minivan that made me smile every time I saw it. When I saw that bottle, I remembered my son hopping out of the car, guzzling the last inch of fruit punch Jarritos, and saying, “Thanks Mom. Love you,” before dashing back inside … Continue reading Jarritos and Hermitage.
Last weekend, we were driving our minivan home through the Appalachian mountains with the kids. It had been a long day in the van, and fast food was the plan for dinner. We couldn’t agree on one restaurant, so we chose both Taco Bell and McDonald’s, the best options at that highway exit. At the … Continue reading “The Long Cut”
We were driving along in the jeep last Saturday afternoon heading to a corn maze with the boys. I had just heard from our neighbor that someone we both know had been in an accident and was critically hurt in a hospital up north. His wife is a friend of a friend, but I don’t … Continue reading “Don’t you remember our mantle?”
Does anyone else suffer from a vague fear that things are not going to be ok? That suffering is coming? In conversations both in person and online, I am hearing one of two things: blind optimism that everything will be fine, as soon as there is a vaccine; as soon as all businesses can reopen; … Continue reading “Reconsider it pure joy.”
Jamie and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary this week. In July, my parents marked 50 years of marriage, and they found a way to host a small party with siblings, despite COVID-19 restrictions. We played a video of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends reflecting on my parents’ marriage. Two of my aunts … Continue reading “Each for the Other.”
Grief is weighing down my heart yet again this week. Our company is reducing jobs, and the heaviness of losing friend after friend at work drains the bit of energy that I still had. All these people who have added so much value to our work and our lives now need to start over. Monday … Continue reading “Get up and eat.”
New Every Morning 