Don’t give me perfection, O God, gift me instead with the imperfect.So that from the flawed and the broken, I may learn to seek your healing love. Don’t give me calm, O Lord, gift me instead with chaos.So that in the midst of tumult, I may learn to seek your peace. Don’t give me certainty, O God, gift me instead with confusion.So that in my uncertainty, I may learn to rely upon your wisdom. Don’t give me wealth, O Lord,... Read more

Our sweet boy who chews has been undergoing extensive psychological testing in an effort to figure out how to help him.  I’ll admit to hoping for a magic pill.  Every time I dropped him off or picked him up from the office, I would pray quietly “Just let there be a pill, an easy fix.  Please let there be a magic bullet.  I know his life never works this way, but just once let it be simple. Please, please, please.”... Read more

Today, I spoke with the illustrator of my first book.  I should get to see rough sketches soon.  I was a bit breathless at the thought of it actually becoming a reality.  Illustrations.  For something I wrote.  Can you imagine people actually wanting to read what I wrote?   I mean, except for you, of course.  Read more

I was in the kitchen yesterday afternoon with the 3 year old.  He was trying to explain to me in his own patois what he wanted to eat for a snack.  The poor kid has me for a mom, and I only speak English( and the bad words in Spanish and French.) He stood in front of me patiently jabbering and then ending each sentence with “eat that.”  “Eat that” was all I understood.  I smiled apologetically at him and... Read more

This is so going on my sidebar.  A regular reader of my blog, and Facebook friend said this week, “When you write, I breathe…..sigh.“ Isn’t that the best ever?  Thank you to Ellen who made my day, and someday is going to come over for lunch. Read more

“I just can’t stand going to Church because of my claustrophobia…God will understand.”“I can’t put as much as I usually do into the collection plate because I had to hire a plumber…God will understand.”“I have two children.  I don’t want anymore.  Who wants stretch marks?…God will understand.” God will understand.  God will understand.  God will understand. I have heard this platitude used so many times that it fails to register for what it truly is, an attempt to ease the... Read more

I can still remember so clearly the day I learned that you were coming.  You were our gift of joy out of sorrow.  Our lives had been shattered by the death of your sister six weeks before that positive pregnancy test.  I can still feel the stunned disbelief in my memory.  How could there possibly be you? What an unexpected surprise you have been to us.  You were the healing calm that God gave to us, the unexpected laughter sprung... Read more

15 years ago today, I was not yet “the Mom”.  I was not yet “the Wife.”  I was simply a newly engaged girl, much in love with my fiance. !5 years ago this morning, I can tell you exactly where I was .  I was standing behind the front desk of the high-end hotel where I worked.  I was checking-out guests and joking with the manager.  It was a quiet and easy morning at work and there was a chance... Read more

My almost 5 year old nephew is still with us, and will be for a while longer.  The infection in my brother’s hand is MRSA, so even though he’s looking better, he’s not safe for his son to be around yet. The little guy seems to be folding himself into the fabric of our lives without much trouble.  That’s a tall feat for a boy with some special needs.  I credit the kindness and patience of my own children as... Read more

I went on a walk this morning with the four littlest ones: #4, #5, #6 and the nephew.  We headed out this morning down the nature trail in our neighborhood toward the lake.  There are ducklings and goslings at the lake, and I thought we would enjoy an hour or two of bird watching interspersed with chasing each other around in circles.  Then, the plan went, we would come home and read “Make Way For Ducklings,” and do a few... Read more