I am suppose to write a blog piece for the Huffington Post about motherhood (for their special upcoming Mother’s Day issue in another week). And I have no idea what to write. I am a loss. There are no pearls of wisdom, no gems of gold from which others can glean sage advice. No nothing. …
Okay. Whatever. I am just going to throw in the towel and join the circus. Add to the usual chaos that follows me from home to school to wherever I go, you can add to that list: Dream Crasher. ‘Cause there is one lil’ gal in West Prince who no longer believes in the tooth …
We six walk through the mist, feel wetness on our faces. I shiver in the night air, anticipating the heat of our van. The time and temperature has shifted from sun-kissed evening warmth to damp and foggy dusk . Nearing the last lap, we come into a clearing. And it is then I hear her …
Last night was kind of the crowning glory for me. A moment in time when I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. And to be sure. I have had my fair share of awkward moments. Moments when my truly funny life has imitated fiction. Watch me in action for about five …
Confession time. I don’t think greatness should be the standard when it comes to mothering. On the contrary. I think it is okay to be a good enough mother. Good enough mothers should at the very least get an “E” for effort. We do put forth our best, never mind how erratic that might look …
Have you ever had a day wherein you said all the right words…all morning, afternoon, evening? And you thought you were on a roll? You know what I am talking about, right? Those days when you hit the track running, you are that on fire. Saying all the right things to all the right people. …
She rushes out of bed with the noisy static of the alarm urging her to ‘get a move on.’ Stumbles out of the bedroom door and slips as quietly as she can down the stairs. Knowing full well, she is already pushing it for time. Time is not her friend these days…always urging her to …
Empathy. That quality of compassionate, understanding care extended toward others. I have often wondered: is it nature? Or, is it nurture? Can we cultivate empathy, can we grow it? Or Baby, are we just born that way? I’d truly like to know. Because the consequences really are far-reaching. If we are born with it (or …
When tragedy strikes and disaster hits. And when calamity occurs and life is lost. When that life is a child’s life- a precious son or daughter’s life. A mother’s life, a wife’s life, a sister’s life. Or worse: when that loss is a family’s life, it is so pervasive and deadly in its scope. So …
There are days when frost covers barren ground. Like a heavy cloak. When tiny buds on frozen tree limbs shimmer with an icy glaze. When tiny shoots of new life, thwarted in process of emerging forth. Are interrupted. Dark, heavy clouds hang low and ready. There are these kinds of days. When table talk is …
There are times when I scrutinize the reflection I see in the mirror. And I don’t like what I see the majority of the time. Is that surprising, really? We are our own worst critics, and when we look in the mirror, what are we usually looking for? Flaws. Imperfections. Areas needing improvement. The other …
So, here’s where the rubber meets the road. Yesterday, I wrote about seeing the best in people. And I love doing that in my role as teacher, friend, colleague, volunteer. But probably the hardest place for me to practice seeing the best in people is when it comes to family. Because let’s face it, family …