Greg can give good gifts. The girls used to return from shopping trips with him and give me little reports: “You are going to like what Dad got you.” “You are going to be surprised. He was so happy when he found your gift.” Over the years, he has given me a bowl carved out … Continue reading In the Ocean Too Long: Thoughts on a Marriage’s End
December 2, 2018 Last night, I called my younger daughter, who is 1,001 miles away at college. She said that she was in the common room with her suitemates, and they were bonding, and I was glad because I think, in general, common rooms should be used more than they are. Somehow, they got to … Continue reading The Land of Before: The Thirtieth Year of Marriage
I am one of those middle-aged women: the chronic pain sufferers whom everyone wishes would either (a) buy the pharmaceutical they are advertising or (b) shut up. I am on day 12 of a “fibromyalgia” flare–no matter what this is, on an intellectual level, its power is impressive. I can feel the insides of my bones; the … Continue reading What Prayed For Looks Like
December 2021 My only C in college was in music appreciation (unless I also made a C in canoeing, which is, of course, entirely likely). I remember sitting in the hall before exams, index cards and highlighter in hand, trying to teach myself musical terms. It was impossible. Nevertheless, I love music. My favorite Pandora … Continue reading You Are Allowed To Try (for Twelve Years, If Need Be)
For almost twenty years, I have had a Mary Engelbreit calendar hanging in the same place in my kitchen. Tonight, as I stood washing dishes, I looked up and saw her succinct command: Give thanks. And I thought about the fact that I do give thanks. I know, I know, there are those of you … Continue reading Thankful for the Good (I wouldn’t even tell me what would happen to me)
There is something that God does for me before a crisis–when I can see the giant, dark waves coming and feel the sand beginning to wash out beneath me. He allows me, always, a brief time with friends. The quickest of rejuvenations–not weeks on a beach, not even lingering dinners–just quick reminders: You also have … Continue reading Things God Allows
Twenty-four years ago, when April was eighteen months old, we lost her. We had been her foster parents for six months when she was returned to her birth family in New York. It was horrific–Baby Jessica played out in our own driveway–a social worker picked her up at dawn, we buckled her in the carseat … Continue reading The Anguish Before The Joy
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