They said the drive to Nebraska and Jumping Tandem: The Retreat would be long and boring. They were wrong. A week ago I’d messaged my prayer warriors, “I’m having a little trouble holding it together right now. Could use a little glue prayer.” And they were on it like bees on crabapple blossoms. One […]
Seeing God
Just look at that! “Look at what?” The sky. My husband looked up and asked again. “What about it?” Can’t you see? The stars. Look at the stars. “Oh, yeah. I’m cold.” And he went into the house, leaving me out there alone. Or not. Granted, D’d been checking things off his to-do/note list, […]
And Then I Jump
I brush the hair from my mouth and eyes, pull hands up into sweatshirt sleeves, and lean into the wind as we trudge up the path. We gather under the pavilion to struggle into harnesses, clip heavy ropes to anchor loops, tighten helmets. I feel much less brave than I did when I signed […]
When Papa Comes Running
It’s the twilight hour. My husband’s settled in to watch the Tigers’ game with me. But he’s dozing. A frantic call from my daughter interrupts the outfield scramble. “Grace is in the field behind your house screaming. She’s not moving. She’s just standing there screaming, ‘Help me!’ I sent her through the field for […]
Pups, Patches, Aprons, and Grace
It all started with Sir Wesley John. When Rose Dog died, we swore no. more. dogs. But who can say no to a grand girl’s sad face? Only her mother. So the mission to make Grace happy fell to us, and thus began the hunt for a hypoallergenic, nonshedding, cuddle critter. Enter Happy Havanese. […]
Damaged Dreams and Broken Expectations
I’ve been sitting in a new pew the past few weeks. Not that there was anything wrong with the old one, the one where my husband had grown up and where we expected we might end up. Literally. But I’d started to feel restless and a little cramped. I wasn’t connecting relationally with […]
Playing the Black Keys
When our 17-year-old daughter was pregnant with our first grand girl, she planned to name her Alizay. It was even frosted across the top of her baby shower cake. But I’d tripped over a house of ill repute by the same name, and she’d discovered “Alize” was actually a line of alcoholic drinks. So […]
and then i jump
I brush the hair from my mouth and eyes, pull hands up into sweatshirt sleeves, and lean into the wind as we trudge up the path. We gather under the pavilion to struggle into harnesses, clip heavy ropes to anchor loops, tighten helmets. I feel much less brave than I did when I signed […]
You’ve Got to be Dreaming! Plus Making Music (or Not) and a Retreat
I had a dream. It came in a big walnut box banded with black and white. It was the first piece of furniture we bought together after our wedding, and when I closed my eyes, I could see my fingers fly up and down those keys. I took lessons weekly after work, and she made […]
