Archived Columns
Merry Christmas!
Several years ago, I tossed a generic package of Christmas cards onto the table in front of my husband and remarked, “I could make a better card than this!” To my surprise, he looked at me and said, “Then do it.” Never one to back down from a challenge, I enlisted the help of our then teenage son, who was a budding artist. Aaron and I collaborated – he drew a picture for the front of the card while I wrote a poem and greeting for the inside. Pleased with our creation we took the card to a printe
Attitude of Gratitude
I grew up with an attitude of gratitude. Not that I knew it at the time. Nor did I know that my family would have been considered poor by most people’s standards. However, in our little farming community, people were judged by their integrity and character, not by the kind of house they lived in or the clothes they wore. A good thing since our home had no indoor plumbing, no phone, no TV or other amenities that are normally considered essential.
I Want to be a Grandmother!
When I was a child my greatest desire in life was to become a mother. Not a nurse or flight attendant like my peers. Just “Mommy.” After my kids grew up I longed for another title—Grandmother.
Remembering Travis
July and August bring the celebration of many birthdays to our family, namely that of our middle son, Travis, who was born on a beautiful summer morning, filling my heart and life with sunshine. Except for his full head of strawberry blond hair and his sky blue eyes, he looked remarkably like his four-year-old brother, Aaron, who could hardly wait for Travis to be old enough to sleep in the same room with him. That never came to pass.
Love and Commitment
June is here and “weddings” are in the air! I often wonder why so many couples choose June to exchange their vows. I need only look back at my own wedding to answer that. Trust me, March is not the best month of the year to be married, especially in a cold climate.
Healthy Disorganization
The month of May has always been busy for me. Not only are there three family birthdays, but it is also the month for State Special Olympics, Mother’s Day and—drum roll, please—spring-cleaning! Yep, you read that right.
Wishes & Dreams
When I was 30 years old I gave birth to my youngest child, James Ryan Jones. “Jay” was quickly diagnosed with Down syndrome and soon after with congenital heart disease. My little bundle of joy was a very sick baby. His immune system just didn’t kick in and he struggled to take even a two-ounce bottle of milk from a preemie nipple.
Parenting: 101
A new month and a new holiday—one of my favorites—St. Patrick’s Day. Why do I like it? Well, there is my Irish heritage, the “wearin’ of the green,” and did I mention it is my first-born’s birthday? Certainly, it wasn’t planned that way. In fact, my little bundle came a week early. His name, Aaron, had already been chosen. Not for religious preference or rich family tradition. I was much too young to think of such things. My husband and I chose our son’s name for two reasons—we liked it and we k
Love for a Lifetime
My husband never sends me flowers. Not even on Valentine’s Day. The reason? I’m allergic! But it hasn’t always been that way. There was a time when I could enjoy a bouquet of fragrant roses sitting on my dining room table. But the good news is that I can still enjoy those beautiful heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and a card with loving sentiments. I hope Carl remembers!
Friendship and Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions seldom work for me—I never keep to the diet, stay off chocolate (okay, that wasn’t really a resolution) or stick with the exercise. So this year, instead of making resolutions, I am counting my blessings, many of which are “girlfriends.” Not just one or two best friends, but a “passel” of friends.