It’s Complicated

One of the lessons from history that repeatedly presented itself during our recent trip to Washington D.C. was just how amazingly complex humans are. People can do fascinating things--like deciding it must be possible to fly like a bird and, within less than ten years, producing not only working airplanes but aviation schools. People can … Continue reading It’s Complicated

Hold On

It’s exceedingly easy to bolt (or, rather, drag yourself) out of bed, to hustle-bustle the family out the door--to school and to work, to the gym or to walk the dog--and into the day. One thing leads to another, until you have to get dinner on the table, get the kids on to homework or … Continue reading Hold On

Taco Tuesday

"Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now..." --from Hamilton I didn't sleep well last night. Having put myself to bed at a reasonable hour, I spun in fitful sheet-tangles trying to find that just-right bodily pose that would release my mind to dreamland. But dreamland itself proved fitful, … Continue reading Taco Tuesday

Freedom

Happy Independence Day! One of my favorite Bible verses comes from Galatians 5:1... "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Honest: I don't appreciate anything near the truth of those few words. I don't think most of us truly understand and live our freedom, even those of us who have been set … Continue reading Freedom

High School Graduation

Tonight I feel seventeen. Tomorrow is graduation day. One more project to go: for English, a self-expression slide show of my life—my people, my friends and classmates—set to U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” We’ve been together a long time, but high school isn’t it. We still haven’t found what we’re looking … Continue reading High School Graduation

Thankful Thursday – My Awesome Doghouse

No matter what you do, how hard you work, how much you invest, how great your love or commitment, you will disappoint people. The junior high and high school popular kids. Certain teachers or college professors. Friends and neighbors. Bosses and authority figures of all stripes and spots. Family members, community members, and church members. … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – My Awesome Doghouse

Learning to Let Him Go

Today Teen drove away with friends to cheer on their high school football team in the state championship (Go, Campo Cougars!). Four hours away, in a city they’ve never visited. They’ll stay together in a hotel, arranged by another parent. They’ll return home tomorrow. It makes me a little nervous, honestly. There will be plenty … Continue reading Learning to Let Him Go

Thankful Thursday – Week of July 4th, 2016

Today didn't go as planned. I had to work through, pray through, a few unanticipated and frustrating speed bumps before I could return to gratitude. Yet my issues are annoyances, mere splinters compared with the unanticipated life-demolishing road blocks others have experienced today, this week. My reasons for gratitude remain huge, while others grieve. I don't have … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Week of July 4th, 2016

What’s Your Dance Party?

I've been thinking about "YES!" This word, "create," requires saying Yes to life, to invitations, to play, and, sometimes worse, to those things that intimidate or downright scare me. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for saying "NO!" as necessary. I believe in it. Oh baby, YES, we have to say NO! from time to … Continue reading What’s Your Dance Party?

Salvation: Search & Rescue

Mother's Day Sunday afternoon the neighbor's cat caught a small bird, a sparrow, perhaps? Neighbor was able to rescue the terrified bird from the over-excited cat's mouth - Have you ever seen a pet cat with a bird in its mouth? They're funny about it, growl-y and amped, racing about but not injurous - and brought … Continue reading Salvation: Search & Rescue