The message on their door was clear: No Bullys. If you're a bully, you can't come in. Boo! Bullys I asked Maddie what she meant by bullies. She said they are disrespectful, mean, and don't care about you. Anyone like that in your past or present? Any names and faces, times or places, hurts or scars come to mind? Maybe you were only a kid.…
My cell phone has me thinking. I found it lying abandoned on the kitchen counter, unplugged from the one thing -- the only thing -- that can reinvigorate it to do the work it was designed to do. Ironically, it was near an outlet, but since it wasn't connected, its battery quietly dwindled until it was entirely depleted and functionally dead. Stating the obvious, if…
It's morning. I'm hungry. EMPTY. ALSO EMPTY. Though I ate yesterday, and the day before, and all the days of my 63 years, I need more today. Once again my emptiness needs to be filled, so I have strength to do whatever is ahead of me today. Ahhh, much better. I am renewed, cheered, caffeinated. FULL. And grateful. But wait, still more - my soul…
It's the middle of the day. I have dinner to cook, laundry to fold, weeds to pull. And let's not even mention paperwork. These and other voices clamor for my immediate attention. "Pick me!" "No, me, I've been waiting longer!" "No, ME! I said it first!" But I choose writing you, because I can't shake the reminder I read this morning: "From everyone who has…
My 4 year-old granddaughter and I walked hand-in-hand to my car. She was coming from a full morning of Phillies Phun in her pre-K, and was dressed head to toe in pink and red, her second-favorite colors ("because green is #1"). She was especially excited to be allowed to wear her mom's Phillies cap. As we walked, it slipped over her eyes. "Ha, I can't…
To the Glory of God alone (This is my very first post. It's a talk I gave last spring to elementary students at Phil-Mont Christian Academy, my old stomping grounds. I chose it to remind myself on the launch of this blog that I want to keep the main thing the main thing.) Every November, when my friend was a little boy, his grandmother sent…
Against the blurred backdrop of December's lists, errands, duties, and party time stands a single picture in sharp relief. It is the face of my young niece, Tessa Grace Cutie Face (I Love Her To Outer Space), sitting across from me at the table in my kitchen. The china is out, the house is quiet, and we are having tea and toast. The idea was…
I woke up with plans, as I imagine you did, unless you happen to be on vacation, in which case, congratulations! Take your watch off and be happy! My first objective today was brewing coffee and consuming same, though you'll be relieved to know I aspire to more than that. I'm also washing clothes, paying bills, and sitting here, writing. Whatever the specifics, you and…
My first grandbaby was placed in my arms ten days ago. Fresh from God, complete with ten fingers and ten toes, a full head of hair and working lungs, she brought with her a lingering fragrance from Heaven. Though we’ve only just met, I can tell you right here and now that there is nothing I would not do for her. To prove it, I’ve…
Two years ago I took off my beaded jacket, kicked off my sparkly heels and reentered the dance floor with vigor. Our son had married his best friend earlier that brilliant autumn day, and our joy knew no bounds. Surrounded by friends and family, old and new, Jack and I were having the time of our lives. All the preparation was over, the lists crossed…