Christmas reconciliation
Christmas came storming in much too soon with a plethora of images and a menagerie of colors, fabrics, flavors and aromas: twinkling white lights; gaudy, wide-ribbon swirls all over the tree;, lime greens; peppermint bows and sticky candy canes; fresh pine needles; snuggly socks; movie marathons; Christmas tree trails and drive-through light extravaganzas. Whew! Houses […]
Winter Solstice: The Shortest Day
A cliche is a well-worn phrase that’s all too familiar and generally avoided when writing, but cliches are much like old, comfortable, slightly smelly shoes. Occasionally, it just feels good to take them out and wear them again. So, I’ve convinced myself that beginning with a cliche is okay. Timing is everything: that’s my cliche. […]
Christmas Is…
Christmas is repetition, tradition, excitement, decorating, wrapping, shopping, stressing, memories, celebration, a religious landmark, and an accentuation of everything we’ve ever cared about. Because it’s almost here and because it is such a part of our American way of life, I want to share some intimate thoughts on what Christmas is in my heart. Christmas […]
Guest Post on Caregiving
Dear Readers, Many of you know my dear friends, Chris and Amy Cameron. They lived in Huntsville for many years but now reside in Scottsboro, AL. Amy has Multiple Sclerosis and Chris is her willing caregiver. In this touching blog post, he shares his story, guaranteed to make your holiday warmer and your heart […]
Caregiving: Parenting: Friendship
Dear friends who are parents, If you stop to think for a moment, I’m sure you would agree that the all-too-frequent unclaimed layer of caregiving is being a parent. This role lasts a lifetime, is intense, expensive, passionate and all heart. It’s also confusing, ambivalent, exhausting, infuriatiang, heart-breaking and one unending surprise after another. Are […]
Why Send Christmas Cards?
It’s Thanksgiving morning and I’m sitting here in blissful silence (alone but not lonely) doing the first bundle of Christmas cards. Extended family commitments have my kids occupied this Thanksgiving, and I made a vow years ago that I would never make them feel guilty when they could not get home for the holidays. So, […]
The Question of the Season: Why Write?
Oh, you thought the Season was instrinsically related to the holidays which are upon us: both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Au contraire, the Season I reference is the journey of life: the Season of aging, the Season of gaining some surprising maturity, the Season of no longer having to prove anything to yourself, your family, or […]
The Deadend Question of Caregiving
Dear Friends, Imagine a life-long caregiving situation with a child who has CP. Imagine first of all hearing the news at birth, managing all through the elementary and teen years to find schooling, then figuring out how to get this child through college, then how to find accommodating employment and finally independent housing. Imagine being […]