Pontormo’s “Visitation,” –famous mothers, Mary and Elizabeth I wrote this in honor of my mother and mother-in-law.
Category: Family
Spring Mourning
tenderly remove morning’s frost from spring petals, some still mourn winter During the lifetime of Jesus, the Jews had a unique custom pertaining to the temple in Jerusalem. When entering, the people had to walk in only one direction. They moved up the stairs, through the outer courts, inner sanctuary, and down the stairs to exit, all in the same…
The Privilege of Adoption
My daughter is in the front row with Ethiopian orphans. We leave in a week for a two-week medical trip to Ethiopia. I certainly have mixed feelings about this trip. In fact, every trip has been hard for me this year. I think a decade plus of mega international traveling has caught up with me. Even…
What Happened to that Little Girl?
Last evening, we ate dinner with a lovely Italian family from our church. I especially say Italian, because they are proud of their ethnicity; and I am fascinated by it as well. We have known them for many years. They have five bright children; and their parents, in their 80’s, live with them a few months…
Stepping into the 20s
We are in the mountains of Cyprus. It is so cold, but the fresh mountain air, the scent of pine, and the wood burning in the fireplaces are invigorating. This clean air almost makes me dizzy. It is great to be here in the community where we lived for three years. The relationships are dear and…
I Am So Happy!
My husband and I are home now, having returned from two weeks in Florida. We had a great time of business/pleasure. We really enjoyed the beach this time and, of course, the great seafood. So fresh. The rest energized us, recharged our batteries. Today I am so happy to be back in my home…
Fading Fingerprints
In my recent post, “The Last Gift,” I wrote about the last present that Dad gave me on Thanksgiving Day. It was practical, a plastic toothpick holder filled with toothpicks. This morning the thought occurred to me that Dad’s fingerprints, literally, are still on that gift. If I had the powder that the police use…
I Love Being Home
A shadow fell across our lives this year with the unexpected death of Wayne’s dad just before Christmas. The days have been bittersweet, remembering Papa and dealing with his absence. He was such a strong, quiet man. His influence steadied each of us. Now we are leaning into each other more, leaning into God more. …
Seven Goals for 2008
1) Spend more time with family. 2) Begin to learn some ragtime piano pieces like Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer. Although classical music is fun to play, it is not always fun to hear. But ragtime piano is always fun to play and hear. There is nothing like ragtime piano!
Leaping into 2008–With Moderation
I remember with great warmth the gelid winters of my youth. Growing up in Colorado, I experienced the true seasonal meaning of winter, snow, and ice. Sometimes we had below freezing temperatures for days and days, accompanied with days of snow and huge snowdrifts peaking in our front and backyards–the very thing children long for in…