Kurt and I recently stayed in a pretty swanky hotel. We were swimming in “amenities” we didn’t even know how to use: For the safe keeping of my Walmart jewelry, there was a safe which I couldn’t open. There was also a spa and fitness room which we never found. But there was one “amenity” that was … [Read more...] about Zooming In: On Magnifying Mirrors and Mountains
Keeping Track: Books and Sharks
I'm not sure I’ve ever kept a resolution for three consecutive years. Until now. “Keep track of books I read.” It was a change of strategy regarding resolutions which you can read about here, and it worked for me. This year, two books stood out as all-time-favorite material. And you don’t have … [Read more...] about Keeping Track: Books and Sharks
All I Want for Christmas
It came up again last week at bedtime. A gift from the past: hand print snow man ornament. “Mom, what do you want for Christmas?” I could not think of one reasonable thing to say. A few years ago Zach asked me this same question, and I was ready with a completely practical … [Read more...] about All I Want for Christmas
Receiving the Undeserved Gift
I scrambled up to the first couch cushion and dutifully obeyed my mother’s little rhyme: “Open your hands and close your eyes and I will give you a big surprise.” Meanwhile on the middle couch cushion, long after I had settled myself, my little sister wriggled off the couch and then climbed … [Read more...] about Receiving the Undeserved Gift
Growing Gratitude
Back in the day when the boys were 2, 3, and 4 years old, it was a little rugged around our house. I was plagued by my inability to mother like I thought I should--you know, teaching my toddlers to use their manners, say thank you, and always obey. But since that rarely went as planned, I almost … [Read more...] about Growing Gratitude
When Trick-or-Treaters Make You Think of Jesus
I counted about 27 princesses and nearly as many ninja warriors. Not to mention a walking vending machine, and a few pixelated Minecraft characters. There were little girls who felt perfectly secure as princesses and insecure teenagers who were “too old” to dress up, but still young enough to be … [Read more...] about When Trick-or-Treaters Make You Think of Jesus