Life

Growing Family Relationships

My nephew came for a visit today as he was able to take some leave time from the Navy. Of course it was great to see him looking happy and healthy. Mostly I enjoyed watching his interaction with my son. They grew up for years like brothers and as they grow into young adults, their […]

Reflecting on 2018

It being New Years Eve, everyone was reflecting on the past year – the good and the bad. As I think about this past year, we have been very blessed that my parents have made it through again without a hospitalization. There have been medical issues, of course, but nothing extreme. I am finding peace […]

Returning Care

This morning, my parents and I were remembering how sick I was as a child. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was only 4 years old. From that time on, my joints stiffened, muscles weakened, and pain increased. I was unable to wash or comb my hair, button a button, or open […]

Welcome to the USA

I love listening to the stories and experiences that people have. I find it fascinating that we as people are so much the same, yet so diverse. We got together with our neighbors this afternoon and heard about how the wife was in the Air Force for a brief period of time. She worked at […]

Blessing Cards

I finished and mailed my Christmas cards today. Yes, they are a little late, but I can’t seem to get them out much sooner. As I completed each card, I thought of and prayed for each person in the family. I found myself more grateful for them and the influence and blessing they have been […]

God’s Grace in the Empty Space

I have been wanting to get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this Advent season. However, time is limited, there is a lot to do, and I kept forgetting. But the other day, I read about the experience of a good friend who went to the Sacrament. He wrote in part, “I feel so uplifted, […]

True Life-long Friend

My mom received a Christmas card today from a woman she has known for most of her life. When my mother was 5 years old, she started going to dance classes with the then little girl who was just a year older. There were many times in later years when their lives crossed paths in […]

Award Winning Photos

My dad has had a few different careers during his life. But one thing that has remained with him from the time he was a young teenager is photography. Just as music is to my mom, photography is to my dad. That is how he expresses who he is, how he sees the world, and […]

Almost a Nun

We watched one of our favorite movies tonight – The Sound of Music. My mom told me that when she was younger, she had a friend who went to a convent to become a nun. The friend wanted my mom to go with her. My mom considered it too and asked her mother if she […]

Final Sunset

A couple of days ago, a friend told me that her father-in-law passed away. So I went to the funeral today. One of the man’s son’s said that unfortunately, he missed being with his dad when he died. He lived in another state and drove to be with his family that evening after hearing the […]