Designing a life of peace, joy and laughter.
On December 21, I went to see Santa. My soon-to-be-8-year-old son wanted to see Santa, so I agreed to wait in line with him. It was so hot. My heavy wool coat was draped over my arm because it was humid in the tropical conservatory at Fredrick Meijer Gardens where Santa was stationed for the … Continue reading In the land of the living.
My good friend texted this phrase this morning: “Life has been relentless this month.” Relentless. Do you feel that way? In the past two weeks, our family has had a health scare, a back injury, and two Covid exposures with all the resulting contingency plans. Nothing catastrophic, but I resonated with the word “relentless” when … Continue reading Really old graffiti.
“No one knows you like they know youAnd no one probably ever will.You can grow up, make new ones,But truth is there’s nothing like old friends.‘Cause you can’t make old friends.”Ben Rector, “You Can’t Make Old Friends” from the album Magic On the first day of school when I was 10, the new girl asked … Continue reading You can’t make old friends.
Consuming a moment. I tried to consume a moment last week, and save it for later. We were on vacation on the Pacific coast of Washington, in Olympic National Park. It was late morning on a Wednesday, and we wanted to get to a beach for low tide. We hoped to maybe see a starfish. … Continue reading Beholding vs. consuming
When I was a teenager, I sweated at the McDonalds drive-thru and saved my after-tax dollars to buy clothes. Minimum wage took ages to add up to a pair of Guess jeans, so when my friends hung out at restaurants, I would order a Coke and say I wasn’t hungry. There was no sense in … Continue reading Feast.
Is a chapter just about to end for you? For so many of us, the end of another school year is approaching. Perhaps you are not a sentimental person, but most of us get caught up in daily life and forget the essential things that matter most to us. Here are a few things that … Continue reading Celebrate.
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." - Anne Lamott National Margarita Day is Monday and I may be celebrating early. Donkey Taqueria here in Grand Rapids is offering these three fun flavors starting today, and I think I would like to try the Thai Basil one. … Continue reading Rest.
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’s getting harder to laugh these days, at least for me. How about you? My oldest son often mentions his favorite teacher, Sra. Triminio from third grade. She is a young brunette in her 20’s with high standards and an easy, laid-back way about her. She began teaching Spanish immersion at Grand Rapids Christian Elementary … Continue reading She laughs a lot.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."- John Muir So far, our “out west” National Park vacation has been our biggest, best family memory – confirmed by both of us and all three … Continue reading Memory Makers, Part 2. Out West.
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