I had a dream that I lost little Gabriel, only he was somehow also Moses. We were at a medical appointment at a hospital. He was with me in the lobby, and then he wasn’t. I heard his little voice cry out, “Mama”, but just once. I looked and looked, but I had lost him.Continue reading “A Piece of Crap”
Category Archives: parenting
Reflections from Ihm Home Farm
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28 Many of you probably do not know that Dan Ihm, one of Hillcrest’s faithful musicians, even has a wife, as I have made it to church about five times in as many years… Five years ago, DanContinue reading “Reflections from Ihm Home Farm”
Eyes
If our eyes are windows to our souls, the other features certainly help with interpretation. The thoughts are higher, bigger, and more pervasive. There are questions in everything. Our world is different. For some, it’s really the only world they know. A quandary in the world of child welfare is the often dumbfounding loyalty fromContinue reading “Eyes”
I Wish I Could Tell You
As a little girl, on my sick days from school, the best part of the day was the half hour when I could sit in my dad’s recliner in my pajamas and watch Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I found great comfort in staring at the trolley while it circled the neighborhood, where I could pass someContinue reading “I Wish I Could Tell You”
Fireball Sun
The fireball sun recalled orange-slice smiles and puddle stained skirts from the day’s careless frolics. She was unconcerned with the passage of time, painted with mud splashes and oblivious even to the dinner bell, and her day’s accomplishments included garland crowns for her sisters and a mud tunnel nearly halfway to China. She didn’t know;Continue reading “Fireball Sun”
My View from the Back Seat: This Life-Altering Course of Parenting
I would always have someone with me, and I would never be lonely, not ever again. At twenty-four, and I was about to have my first baby. Early Motherhood, though inherently challenging, treated me gently. It had been my deepest wish, to become a mother. With my new mom friends, I passed idle days walkingContinue reading “My View from the Back Seat: This Life-Altering Course of Parenting”
Loss
It’s helpful, necessary, and smart. It’s good practice. Also, it’s terrifying. There’s no more solace to be found in the garden these days. “Put them to work with you,” advise the well-intentioned folks who do not understand my reality of the transformation of a tiny farmer that uses a three-quarter-scale shovel to scoop compost intoContinue reading “Loss”
You Always Did Love the Ocean
It was hard to discern where the brilliant blue sky became the ocean’s choppy waves, where the hope looked more like fear. From his little spot in the Florida sun, my dad sends me things to read: funny and interesting things…things that he has found on the internet or in the newspaper, things that heContinue reading “You Always Did Love the Ocean”
Garbage Mom
Monday had a promising start: the sun shone brightly, and I had a few minutes to spare before I would be meeting my longtime friend, so I stopped at the post office. Two pairs of ladies occupied the lobby in front of me; both sets engaged in separate conversations. The first pair consisted of theContinue reading “Garbage Mom”
A Hero’s Hand
“Don’t let anyone say that it’s just a game…” A friend mentioned that in just a few weeks, it will be time for pitchers and catchers to report to training camp. He didn’t really have to remind me, though, as I have been looking desperately forward to a fresh season since my befallen heroes hungContinue reading “A Hero’s Hand”
