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”
Category Archives: Memories
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”
Steal the Rhythm While You Can
One of Jeff’s best friends reached out to Kris, wondering if I’d like to include any thoughts from friends of his back in the day. Would I like to offer another view of Jeff’s World? Obviously. First, meet Zach Jones, center of the group, in the “featured image” for this post. A lot has beenContinue reading “Steal the Rhythm While You Can”
Elegy and Ode to Jeff, the Boy We Love
Part 6 of The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time – posts about my nephew, Jeff, who died of cancer 25 years ago this week. In the opening sequence of Forrest Gump, a feather floats and swoops, and lands at Forrest’s feet. He bends down, plucks it up and puts it in his suitcase.Continue reading “Elegy and Ode to Jeff, the Boy We Love”
Love Letter from the Family
I’ve shared my thoughts, feelings and memories about Jeff this week. Now, it’s the rest of the family’s turn. Part 5 of The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time – posts about my nephew, Jeff, who died of cancer 25 years ago this week. Grandpa & Grandma K Some time after Jeff’s death, IContinue reading “Love Letter from the Family”
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”
Necessity: the Mother of Tradition
At the end of Thanksgiving Day I was surprised to find a lovely text message from my niece Shelly, sent to me along with her other aunts and her mom. It was a thank you message for our being the “hands and hard work behind” her holiday memories, which she has new appreciation for afterContinue reading “Necessity: the Mother of Tradition”
The Quilts We Carry
I visited my mom tonight. She is a hospice patient so we’re allowed to visit her at her assisted living residence, even during the pandemic.Just as we do on most Saturday nights these days, we watched the Lawrence Welk show on public television. We comment on the era they’ve chosen for the program aired thatContinue reading “The Quilts We Carry”
Karna Eastlund Haugen 