Category Archives: Gratitude

She Set the Table: A Little Commotion about Mom

My mom was inclined to categorize things by how much commotion was generated: “A lot of”… or “such a”… or “so much.” Generally speaking, she was anti-commotion. So she may not be in favor of the following. But a lot of this was already shared at her memorial service on February 6th, 2023 (she passedContinue reading “She Set the Table: A Little Commotion about Mom”

When Axel Transfers Joy

“To get the full measure of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.” Mark Twain I read that recently and it resonated with me. I thought of it yesterday while Axel and I were out on a walk. If for no other reason, it’s good for me to have a dog because itContinue reading “When Axel Transfers Joy”

Portrait of a Good Boy: Axel’s First Year

I got a puppy in November of 2021. While I’ve raised six other puppies over the past 30 years (including a basset hound, two golden retrievers, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and two Maltese/bichons), I hadn’t had a dog for nearly a decade. His name is Axel. Today is his birthday. Like everyone (except myContinue reading “Portrait of a Good Boy: Axel’s First Year”

What I Know at 60

I just turned 60. I know a few things. Jesus loves me — this I know, for the Bible tells me so. It was true then. It’s true now. Black is slimming, but it can only do so much. There’s not much better than having a good sister. Unless it’s having three. The sound ofContinue reading “What I Know at 60”

How Could One Man Be So Lucky?

Much of the following is what we asked our friend and former pastor, Roger Camerer, to read for us at our dad’s funeral service in November 2000. Co-authored with my sisters, it has stood up pretty well over time as the way I remember my dad. One afternoon while my mom and dad (Granny &Continue reading “How Could One Man Be So Lucky?”

Closing the Jeff File

Part 7 of The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time – posts about my nephew, Jeff, who died of cancer 25 years ago this week. This is my seventh, and final, post in this series focusing on Jeff (Technically, there are eight, but one of them crept in unexpectedly… like flowers being delivered toContinue reading “Closing the Jeff File”

The Boy I Thought I Knew

Part 4 of The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time – posts about my nephew, Jeff, who died of cancer 25 years ago this week. My nephew Jeff liked a good roller coaster. The anticipation of the climb uphill, the dizzying heights, the breakneck speed, the swooping freefalls down. He knew what to expectContinue reading “The Boy I Thought I Knew”

Asking the Tough Questions

Part 3 of The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time – Posts about my nephew, Jeff, who died of cancer 25 years ago this week. During the year that Jeff had cancer, I found myself wrestling with God about His will, His silence, His purpose in allowing such hardship and suffering to strike anContinue reading “Asking the Tough Questions”