I could barely talk with her. We spoke different languages, but in the short time I had with my mother-in-law, God gave me glimpses into the life of a woman of influence. She had no position in this world other than that of being a widow and mother. She lost her husband early in life, … More A Woman of Influence
Sometimes my favorite conversations are those when I say nothing at all, but just sit and listen to the interaction between the participants. That’s what happened to me this past week, as I visited my husband’s family in California. It was a typical gathering of his siblings — always plenty to eat and drink, along … More I remember
My youngest left today to begin his final year in college. Where does the time go? The older they get, the more we treasure the special moments, and I’m grateful for the few weeks we had together out of an otherwise busy summer. During their younger years, we spent many a night playing games. After … More Games
My family has been on a vacation this week. It’s been super and different. We’re still a foursome, just not the same foursome I’m used to. I’m missing my spouse; my eldest has added his. Still, in the midst of these random thoughts that hit at odd times, we’re having fun. Our second night was … More Brother wonder
Did the Lord ever say to you, “Stop being busy and just enjoy time with the person you love?” He did that to me on Monday, when I realized that my youngest son would be home from college, but only for about 72 hours. What’s a mother to do? I decided to skip church, take … More A good day
January 1, has long been a bittersweet day for me, as it marks the day of my mother’s death. I was in Beirut, Lebanon, when I got the call from my brother, Joe, to tell me she was gone. I didn’t make it back for her funeral, as there was no American embassy in Beirut … More A Mother’s Legacy
It’s easy to get into a slump during the holidays. So many things bring it on — a death of a loved one, another anniversary of that loss, a child marrying and beginning their own traditions, a move, a…well, you fill in the blank. My list could go on forever it seems. Why do holidays … More Remembering the Reason for the Season
I have loved being the mother of boys. My sister had three girls, and I spent my high school and college years babysitting them and watching them grow. Boys are easier…just have to say. After we had our second son, friends all over the Middle East encouraged us to go for a third, so we’d … More The Other Woman
Jesus went all the way back to the beginning when he said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man [or mother] not separate. There is one thing when you leave your parents and cleave to your spouse, … More Watching from afar
We’ve made the list and checked it more than twice. Nothing can get forgotten, since the wedding is not here but there. My eldest son is getting married. I’m the mother of the groom. So, here he was on a video call asking me what he’d forgotten, as if I would know what he’d need … More The ring on the chain
