There's something holy about sunsets. Long after it sets, the sun’s light lingers in the lavender clouds drifting slowly over me as I stand in my front yard, small against the majesty. Each evening brings the chance to pause; to consider the art and Artist speaking in silent extravagance. We visited Italy last year, and … Continue reading Written in the Clouds
Blogs
The Door Behind Us
We squeezed into our airplane seats, Ben poking eagerly at the seatback video screen. The familiar safety instructions started and I turned my gaze to the window as we rolled down the taxiway. "Your closest exit may be behind you," the perky flight attendant reminded us. Why? Because sometimes our focus is so fixed ahead … Continue reading The Door Behind Us
A Mother to Me, Too
[Apostle Paul, c. 1633, Rembrandt, oil on canvas, Kunsthistorisches Museum [Public domain] / Wikimedia] “You're Bill’s wife!” she exclaimed, holding out her hand. “And what do you do?” “I stay home,” I replied, mentally kicking myself for feeling foolish. “That’s the hardest work of all!” she chirped, scanning the room for someone more interesting. “I'm … Continue reading A Mother to Me, Too
Under the Eaves
Under the eaves I sit, watching the rain wash the darkness. Knowing it breaks and nourishes the ground it fills, cleansing in its course. A breeze cools, fingers my hair. Vanishes. I breathe in the sweet, damp air while the rain falls down, flows down, always down its way, its design, refreshing and softening the … Continue reading Under the Eaves
The Picture We Hold
It's been eight years now since we've taken a picture of the whole family. Eight years since one daughter walked away from our family circle, taking our grandchildren with her. The rest of us still gather every year, and at the end of our time together we take a group picture. But now, our pictures … Continue reading The Picture We Hold
The Monday After
“Did you say please and thank you?” I asked my children, just as my mother had asked me. I was brought up to express thanks for every kindness, each gift quickly followed by an appropriate thank-you note. In turn, I raised my children to do the same. All of my diligent training created good behavior … Continue reading The Monday After
New Things
Kelsey Graduation season is upon us and my social media feed is filling with pictures of smiling young faces in their caps and gowns. I remember that feeling of hope and anticipation. Soon I would be leaving my small town in the mountains for a huge university on the edge of the ocean. I had … Continue reading New Things
Windows of the Soul
Windows are important to me. Having grown up in the mountains where I spent my leisure time largely outside, I need that visual connection to creation to feel at rest. My high school was a cold, gray, building with very few windows. It was thought that we would pay closer attention in class if we … Continue reading Windows of the Soul
The Wilderness Way
“It’s a boy” the ultrasound tech told us, and my husband grabbed my hand in excitement. A boy! After years of infertility and the adoption of our two precious daughters, God had broken through with the gift of a son. We each had dreams for this miracle boy. My husband secretly hoped he would be … Continue reading The Wilderness Way
Three Simple Steps to Better Relationships
“Ben, STOP!” I hollered at my son who was charging across the parking lot to toward a friend. He ignored me in his rush to see his buddy and I held my breath, praying that no one would back out of their parking spot as he raced between the rows of cars. He was single-minded … Continue reading Three Simple Steps to Better Relationships
A View of the Lake 