I’ve heard it all my life — seen it embroidered. Bloom where you are planted. Some people take that as gospel, but I don’t think you’ll find it in the Bible. At least, not word for word. Yet, today, when I saw my new bulbs blooming in the small space by the back door of … More Bloom where you are planted
My phone buzzed and woke me up this morning at 6 a.m. It was a message from my pastor: “If you don’t mind, we are gonna have our wise man this morning. Is it OK for you?” Attached was a video from one of my late husband’s sermons. If I don’t mind…What could I say? … More He still speaks
I’ve had him on my mind all week. Thinking about how he’s feeling on the last few days left in the first year; remembering my days, yet knowing he will experience them in different ways, with different feelings. His grief is not mine, but still shared in some small way. He’s my brother. He lost … More I feel for him
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
Another funeral, another hard goodbye. I remember sitting in her Latin class in high school…for three years! Veni, Vidi, Vici…I still remember. Good ol’ Julius Caesar. She had a way of endearing people to her with her sharp mind, quick wit, and wisdom. What kept me endeared was her prayers. She prayed for me from … More My cloud is growing bigger
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
As I sit here on a beautiful November day, remembering the same sunny weather on the day he left us two years ago, I cannot help but thank God for the man I loved. I like to remember his words, so I pulled this from the book I wrote on his life this past year: A … More Remembering the man
Today I had a glimpse of heaven. This is actually the second glimpse I’ve had in two weeks, so God must be trying to teach me something. Today’s had to do with our Thanksgiving meal. Living overseas for 20 years, we always loved sharing Thanksgiving with others. Without family nearby, you seek out other Americans … More When you give a banquet
It seems the weather is finally changing. It’s been a warm fall, with little rain or cold. As I was out and about today, the wind was blowing and clouds were rolling in. It’s supposed to pour tonight and bring colder temperatures. Winter has come. I prefer sunshine…especially during this time of year. You see, … More When your mood fits the weather
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