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
I am used to making trips to the airport. I have done it all my life. Yesterday, I made two–one was at 8:30 in the morning, and the second was at 10:30 at night. Both related to my children. I realized as I faced this sign for a second time in 24 hours that I … More We did it to ourselves
My youngest son leaves tomorrow to travel to the other side of the world, and I find the thing that upsets me most–more than the suicide attacks and strife “over there”–is the IT system crash of British Airways. Really? Does it have to happen the day before he travels out, Lord? Yet, as he walks … More In His Hands
I never thought I would be so blessed to have such a handsome, godly man actually choose me for his wife. You can tell by the look on my face how happy I was twenty-seven years ago today to be riding off on the adventure of a lifetime. Today, it seems like a dream. Yet, … More He chose me!
We are now the oldest of our family tribe, and today as we gathered to remember the life and faith of my sister-in-law, once again I thought about the passing of time. My house was opened to the clan for lunch, and as rooms filled with siblings, children and cousins, we easily talked about memories of … More Siblings
Tonight we were together as family — I’m talking blood relatives. The family you’re born into for better or worse. On most days I’m happy with my family, and thank the Lord for having been raised by godly, loving parents. I miss my parents, and when we go through hard times, I miss them more. … More Holding Hands