The Low-Shelf and Low-Tree Things
I still remember my own two little ones when they were toddlers — and later my Nana treasures — those bright-eyed grandchildren with their curious fingers and determined little steps. I learned early on that anything low-shelf was fair game. So before they’d arrive, up went the glass bells, the porcelain keepsakes, and yes —…
Leave It in God’s Hands
We grandmothers are a special breed. We carry tissues in our purses, candy in our pockets, and a prayer list that’s longer than a CVS receipt. And at the very top of that list? Our grandchildren. Of course, I am also acknowledging you dear loving and adoring mamas who love so deeply — even before…
Untying the Apron Strings
Oh me! I’ve had many aprons and untying them wasn’t always easy — especially when those strings were wrapped around those I loved the most. The phrase “untying the apron strings” is often about our children and grandchildren and having to release our grip on them as they step into adulthood. ADULTHOOD? How can it…
Saving the Ones We Love the Most
We all have inbred instincts to save the ones we love the most. We are passionate about making sure our children don’t touch a hot stove, and they look both ways before crossing a street. But what kind of true grit do we possess for our children and grandchildren that will save them from the…
Celebrating Our Fathers
Father’s Day has arrived and my heart is filled with love and gratitude for the incredible fathers in my life. Each one has left an indelible mark, and today, I want to celebrate them all. First, my dad who was very ill until he passed on when I was just 15. He was a hardworking…
Aging Out
I know “aging out” means the age of a young person who has reached the mandated age for a free public education and the school district is no longer required to provide special education and related services to the youth. That’s not what I mean today. I mean my grandchildren are “aging” faster these days!…
The Older I Get – the more Thankful I Become
These photos say it all. The first one: 2010 – 6 days after my sweetheart was promoted to heaven. We flew to Cabo San Lucas for Thanksgiving. (Papa was supposed to have been with us – but God had such a better plan for him.) Is this a photo of a grieving widow and sad…
The Joys Outweigh the Jitters
Yesterday, I blogged about “counting even the toughest times as joy” – because in the middle of those times, we’ll find joy, if we look for it. Joy certainly has outweighed the jitters over this humongous move I just made. Since December, I was on a quest to sell my home, which meant getting the…
My Treasures Hunt Treasures
As a child, I never realized that my grandparents weren’t the hands-on-type. But, when we became grandparents, we knew we wanted “up close and personal” relationships with our grands. From the get-go, we set out to be doting, over-the-top-in-love in words and deeds. Before our first grandson was born, I had a hope chest of…
Happy Father’s Day! Fathers and Fatherless
My blog today is dedicated to all the wonderful fathers, father figures, and male mentors who have touched the lives of your own kids and others you’ve mentored and coached. We appreciate you! And, for the rest of us, let’s be sure to celebrate our fathers in words and actions. So, I’m taking my own…