faith, family, wellness
Last Christmas, a man rammed into us. It was the night before Christmas Eve. Our car had come to a stop, at a quiet intersection I have known all my life. There was hardly a soul on the road. But just as our car rolled to a pause, we felt this jolt. With it came the terrible sound of … Continue reading Saved by a Handful of Inches
When it's hard to believe in miracles... In the hope of change... In overcoming... In transformations and new beginnings... In healing... When our spirit is willing, but our flesh is frail... When joy is illusive; victory, distant... And wonder has lost its shimmer... I am stopped by this. A tree just outside my door. A … Continue reading What’s So Ordinary?
Even though I am feeling pretty good these days, I've come to accept that I will probably always feel some level of symptoms. They no longer disable me, most days. But can I live the way I used to? No, not really. I have learned to adjust, honestly. I make decisions constantly to push or rest. I can't … Continue reading Losing Normal
On Sunday, we drove for miles and miles. Endless miles. Eleven hours to be exact - from one end of the state to the other. Just the five of us, packed in a warm car, windows splashed with rain and highway dust. The wind blew hard against our wheels. Outside, the clouds hung thick and stormy over the Central California farmlands. … Continue reading Endless Miles, Endless Sky
One of the most powerful things we can say to a child is, "I'll play with you." I'll never forget the advice an older, wiser mom gave me when I was a new mom with a perpetual look of exhaustion all over my face. "I wish I had spent more time on my knees playing with my children rather than … Continue reading Dustballs are Forever
There were a lot of tears this morning, my friends. My daughter insisted that she wear her favorite white dress shoes to her Thanksgiving Feast at preschool. Her heart was set on these shoes, only these shoes. But these beloved favorites have become a size too small. "Does it hurt?" I asked her. "No it fits, Mommy!" she mustered, clearly in … Continue reading How Will You Breathe This Season?
In two weeks, advent begins. It seems all things Christmas explode even before I sit down to have a Thanksgiving meal. But though the world rushes in, I can't help but notice, the earth cries for a pause. The wind blows as if something is coming. Winter blankets the earth as if to hush it quiet ... as if to say, listen. … Continue reading When a Merry Christmas is Not Enough
My little girl was so quiet the other day. She's never quiet. But that day, to my surprise, she was silently sitting at the table diligently coloring away. After a few minutes, she came to me smiling, holding a wrinkled piece of paper in her hands. "Look, I wrote a letter to Gung!" "Gung Gung" is a Chinese name … Continue reading Postmarked to Heaven
Today we stop to honor the many men and women who have chosen to serve America on the frontlines. And we stop to pray, not only for the soldiers, but for their families. Especially now, as the holidays near, and their absence will be so deeply and painfully felt. So today ... to honor those that serve, I want to … Continue reading Everyday Heroes
Writing is such an interesting craft. It can be formulaic or free. We can write for the masses or for an audience of one. I began blogging barely able to eek out a sentence. I had words swirling around, but I also had so many inner walls that I could hardly press the publish button without a mini heart attack. So reaching 50 … Continue reading All The Words We Say
invited by grace 