She sat across from me, her eyes tearing up. “I am at the end of an era. My youngest child just graduated from high school and my life will never be the same,” she said. This wasn’t an expression of…
When Cancer Calls
On Friday June 1st, my beloved husband, Daniel, was diagnosed with colon cancer. He is one of the 112,000 people annually who receive such news. The following week he, at age 46, had his first ever CAT scan, his first…
Mindful Christmas
A friend noticed the brightly wrapped packages under our Christmas tree. “You put the presents out before Christmas?” I responded with “Of course, don’t you?” There seems to be little consensus on the details of how one should celebrate the…
Rags to Riches
I remember once being amused by an advertisement campaign for “Back to School” sales using the popular Christmas song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Oh yeah, I have definitely had that feeling.
Perfect Timing
I have a property for sale on the seacoast of New Hampshire and it’s supposed to be sold by now . . . at least, according to my own personal time table. We’ve done all the right things: fixed up…
Sleeps Seven
On any given evening, I might have 5 kids, 3 kids, 2 kids, or no kids sleeping in my home. That’s how it is to live in our blended family. Each of these four potential arrangements has such a different…
Smom
I was reading a bedtime story to my six year old stepson, the beloved tale “Hansel and Gretel”. I casually read “And then the stepmother sent the children into the deepest part of the forest to be rid of them.” …
First Grade
My stepson started first grade today. My nephew did too. First grade. A big deal! They are on the brink of their long educational journey. But for me, first grade has always felt like the end of an era. When…