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…

Crisis?

  “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is To have a thankless child!” –William Shakespeare 

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…

Profound Sadness

  The days are passing quickly since we buried Dad. There has been much to do with the season, with work, with keeping the house going. Our daughter leaves for Cyprus in less than a week. She is in a bustle preparing for six months abroad. I have been awake since 4 AM, sitting in…

Still Sweeping

After Dad’s death, we are still “sweeping up the heart and putting love away.” Wayne and Scott have spent a few days with Mom putting things in order financially, logistically. There is so much to do. Mom says her hardest times are in the morning when she first awakes. She prays and cries and cries…