Parenting

Half Eaten Cookies

I walked into my daughter’s room to grab something. She wasn’t home. Afterall, she’s 18 and very busy.  I opened the door and glanced across the room. Something caught my eye. On her bed was a cookie container with a half eaten cookie in it.  My heart filled with joy and I smiled from the …

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A Cold Winter’s Day

An open letter to my daughter on Valentine’s Day 2024 My goodness. It’s Valentine’s Day. What is Valentine’s Day to me? Valentine’s Day is you and me. Patrick and Bum-Bum. Hilary and Assistant Desta. Your class parties in elementary school- me volunteering so I didn’t miss a single moment that I didn’t have to. Sitting …

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Belief

“You I don’t worry about. You’re strong, you can do anything. When you set your mind to something, you make it happen. Always.” ~my Dad, over lunch two days ago. The serendipitous timing of these kind and empowering words that my dad spoke to me will not soon be forgotten.  Listening to Song for Dad …

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Moments in Time

Small nameless moments with Johnna. So many times over the last 18 years I wanted to freeze time so I could spend forever with her. Today and many days, I would still freeze time if I could. But not even forever would be a long enough time with my daughter. Johnna

Flowers from London

“I got you flowers.”  I was fast asleep all snug in my bed when I was awoken by those words. They were spoken gently by my teenage daughter who was standing at my bedside. I awoke and groggily asked, “Why?” as she held them before me. “Just because,” she answered as she extended them towards me. A day …

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Breakfast with Johnna

Never wanted my baby girl to grow up. Yet I find myself immersed in the wonder of who she’ll be, so proud of who she is. Grateful for the fun and happy years spending so much time with who she’s been. Taking in each moment big and small, as the balance between mommy, mom, and …

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Buying Time

Who says you can’t buy time?  The holiday season again upon us, I find myself content and barely stressed. Well, except for that one night… But all in all a much different state of mind than in times passed. Shopping frenzies a thing of the past. A fading but never forgotten memory. After all, how …

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My Way, Not Yours

I was out on my nightly jog last evening with my best friend Jackson. He wasn’t talking much so my mind began to wander.  I was recalling a recent conversation with a few acquaintances. I had mentioned to them that I used to tell people I didn’t go to college because I “couldn’t really,” because …

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A Second Chance

I was recently presented an unexpected opportunity to revisit my 16 year daughter as her five year old self. To have frozen myself in that moment would have meant living forever in absolute awe and bliss.