I had exactly seven minutes. I told Husband to park near the door so we could bolt as soon as I was done shopping, as in the back of my mind I was already planning the second half of the evening. The part where I would get to be a real adult and have conversations …
Tonight, we sit out on the veranda, you and I, while candles flicker quietly at our feet. Three citronella in pots reduce to liquid. I say I like the smell, and you mistakenly think that I have given you a compliment. “It’s the smell of the river,” you say. And it’s true. You do smell …
So I might be a helicopter parent. A little bit hovery with a tad of overwhelming to boot. What’s it to you? I will admit it: I’ve done it again. Overstayed my welcome and got myself kicked out of camp. And all for the sake of saying one too many goodbyes and maybe re-checking that …
It was that kind of day. Woke up way too late, after a night of bad dreams. Disconcerting to wake up wondering, “Was that real?” Or not. Already knowing it would be THAT kind of day. During lunch, which I was rushing through so as to not be late for afternoon plans, I knocked over …
So…let’s talk about one of the best kept secrets that the parenting advice books will never touch on in their slick columns, and that is the art of pulling “the casserole card.” One of the greatest weapons in my arsenal of combat tactics, tricks and other such knick-knacks is this infamous casserole card trick. Whenever …
My son is celebrating his thirteenth birthday this month. I can hear him up in his room right now playing risk with two of his cousins, and my heart just swells with love. Here are thirteen things I now know- that I didn’t know then…and all because of becoming Sam’s Mama. I know more of …
I realized something today as I silently watched from that safe distance afforded one when the other is unaware. I watched as my husband tickled our daughter, her infectious giggles urging him to do more of the same. And as I watched, I knew for sure what I’d never known before. I don’t love my …
I am clearly in no shape to write glowingly or positively about camping having come through a partial emergency root canal the afternoon we checked out from our campsite. The pain meds are certainly doing most of the talking, people. But let me say, toothache aside: I swear. Everything you will read below is a …
What the world needs now is truth-tellers. Shamelessly spreading the word- that the new normal is flawed, imperfect living done in the real world. Transparent style. What the world needs now is empathy. Compassion spreaders intent on understanding people and their complicated stories. Covering the world with a blanket of caring kindness. So that compassion …
I can feel the stress creeping up my back. Into my shoulders. Down my spine. Everywhere I turn, I hear what seem to be hundreds of little voices calling me. Calling me to ‘come!’ and ‘look!’ To intervene and facilitate. To watch and guide. Happy Voices. Tattling voices. Whining voices. Crying voices. Pleading voices. Voices. …
Blues turn to pinks and greys as we arrive home at dusk to four brave soldiers. The Fearless Foursome, courageously holding down the fort. Waiting the seasoned warriors’ return. Valiantly. And awaiting the report from the front lines. Ready to move into position upon the signal. Ready to pull things together to make the plan …
I was dreading it. One more obligation. One more thing to do. And although I believe the mantra ‘we can do hard things’, there are times when I just want an easy thing. One.easy.thing. Amidst all the hard things in life. All those things that pull me eight ways to Sunday. And as I sat …