Can we just talk about how sweet it is to have good friends? My car broke down last week...it died on the side of a busy highway.  I was calm, yet frazzled.   I was on the way to meet a dear friend in a neighboring town for dinner, and the only thing on my mind was that I didn't want to miss my time with her! Thankfully the car gave out just-shy of the exit to the restaurant, and I knew I could simply call her to come to my rescue.   (I am so thankful it didn't break down on the curvy backroads closer to home!) Greg was tied up at work and we agreed that I wou ..read more

 I first met Pat over lunch at Charley's, a local restaurant, back in 2016.   Greg had brought me to meet his mother.  I was the new girl in his life and I was curious how his mother would take to me.    Pat was instantly kind and welcoming.   My first impression of her was that she was stylish and poised. As time progressed and it looked like I'd be sticking around, Pat accepted me as a new daughter-in-law and embraced the thought of having my boys as new grandchildren.   I loved that I never doubted where I stood with her.  She made me f ..read more

I had two heavy visits yesterday.    Somehow the same song was playing on the radio as I left each location.  I believe that God specifically curates what I hear from the local radio channel ?, and I am claiming this as my anthem this week: "That's the Thing About Praise" by Benjamin William Hastings ft. Blessing Offor.   The lyrics of the song remind us that no matter the situation, praising God is essential.  We sing, "Hallelujah" despite the heartache.  Our circumstances may not change but praising God keeps our situation in perspective.  Perhaps Pra ..read more

 I feel like I have managed to get my feet underneath me this past month.   In my quiet times, I have thought a lot about how I let the initial crisis with Dad drown me.  My demeanor was consumed with worry and doubt.    How quickly I forgot God's faithfulness.  Looking back, I realize that I spent a month of my life not fully trusting God to work in our family situation.  And now that things have "settled" a bit, I keep reminding myself that God has consistently turned turmoil into peace throughout my life.  Over and over I've seen him work.  ..read more

Dementia.  No one is prepared for this disease. I think our entire family was blindsided at how Dad's dementia progressed.  We have a unique situation..... but now that we're drowning in my Dad's dementia, I see other people in the water too.   People with their own unique stories: Relatable and just as heartbreaking.    It's important to share our stories.   We are not alone in this.    End of November: My Dad, who was already struggling with dementia, hallucinations and paranoia received a steroid shot for a back injury.    What f ..read more

 I'm at the beach this week with a dear friend, for what she calls a "soul-cation".    An entire week away to focus on reading, praying, morning solitude, walking, and playing a few rounds of Bananagrams-by myself (while she works a puzzle) is something I've never done.... but I am IN for this. This morning I decided to walk to the pier.    See it? The weather was perfect and the sand was packed, flat and ready for foot travel.   I headed off at a steady pace and the pier became closer and closer in matter of minutes.  It wasn't nearly as ..read more

Spending more time in solitude and prayer has led me to think about leaves an awful lot.   I've always been intrigued by leaves.... in a similar way that I'm intrigued by the ocean.   The vastness and magnitude of the ocean water, held in place by God's design is something to marvel.    But how about those tiny leaves?!.. trillions of them...Each one part of an intricate vascular plant.  They form, grow and live for a season- knowing the exact moment to release for the fall.   We often take these tiny details of nature for granted.    But ..read more

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of Thayer's death.  The date mostly cruised past with just a few texts from friends, and my precious brother-in-law, remembering the date.  I somehow didn't even mention it to my boys until just a few minutes ago. (Sorry, guys.)    For the past several years I keep referring to 2008 as a lifetime ago.  It really was. At work today, it occurred to me that I met one of the funeral directors for the first time, 15 years ago- this week!  Not that we would have remembered meeting..... I was completely in shock when he sat with me ..read more

I have a young friend who is getting married on Saturday to a guy she has known for about four months.  I think she has probably gotten some shade thrown her way because of the short timeline.  I must admit my initial reaction was surprise.  Ultimately, who can pass judgement on someone else's timeline?    I hear her talk about the prayer, counsel and support they are receiving from family.... and I hear her talk about her fiancé.... about how he supports her, encourages her, prays with her.  They have had the big talks about life and their future plans. &n ..read more

Lots and lots of podcasts.   I listen to a podcast every morning as I am getting ready for my day.  I  listen to a podcast when I take my daily walk.  I listen to a podcast as I clean the house or do yardwork. I have a carefully curated set that I listen to each week.    I love listening to podcasts, which is why I was taken aback when God recently said,  "Stop.     Listen to me".    I started a study on Spiritual Disciplines and quickly realized that my weekly routine does not easily incorporate time for Solitude. I, like most ..read more