Cry Me a River

“Don’t cry.”Lord, don’t let those words pass my lipsand plug up a needed releaseof pressure through tearsto avoid explosion.Something insidewants to be expressed, released, unshackled. Strong emotions,when hidden deep inside,inflate over timeand shoot to the surfacelike a submerged beach ball surges, burgeons, bursts forth. Let me be okay with tears,an inbuilt, relief mechanism,as they flow… Read More

A Life’s Worth of Parenting

Grandparenting begins with parenting,but parenting doesn’t end with grandparenting. The constant needs of toddlers, to the sass and angst of junior high,and the eye-rolling or still-a-kidness of teens gives way to young adultswho know all the right ways to do things. Consistent adulting takes its toll, on your grownup kids,and parents help fill the gaps,… Read More

Begin with Praise

Someone walked by my table in the coffee shop and asked, “How are you?”I answered, “I’m good, thanks.”“Glad to hear it,” he said in passing. “Am I really?” I asked myself, looking at my hand and remembered:Thumb: Praise God in every situation.Pointer: and my faith will ignite and burn brightly,Tall Finger: so that I can… Read More

Visual Correction

In the balcony of the Chicago Convention Center: pencil poised,22-year-old eyes focused on an empty screen, I wait for enlightenment.Puzzled, I notice others scribbling notes, and squint at the speaker.Is he, could he, be writing words that I can’t see? The next day, I made an appointment with an optometrist. How much had I missed… Read More

Senior Coffee Moment

It happened on a Monday in a Georgia McDonald’s.I was given a “senior coffee” without requesting it.Husband was happy to “save us some change,But I spent time in the facilities gazing in the mirror. A young whippersnapper had the audacityto notice and assign my newest advancementinto the senior citizen categorywithout a question or my suggestion.… Read More