Yesterday, we had my grandpa’s service, and my mom and her sister and brothers spoke about my grandpa. We sang hymns that I remember singing while standing next to him in the pew. It was a lovely time with family. But something was missing. And that something is the story I am going to tell […]
Categories: Family
When my mom went back to teaching, my brother and I would stay at my grandparents’ house after school. Grandma would have a snack and the comics page of the paper ready for me. We would play in the carport or ride bikes and then do homework. I read the books on the shelves and […]
Categories: Family
This fall, my church is doing a series on children’s literature. We were invited to write about a favorite book from ages 3-13, why we liked it so much, and what ways God used it to shape our lives. Here is mine. John Green, author of recent young adult best-seller The Fault in our Stars, […]
Categories: Books
Last night when we paused to pray before dinner, Atticus grinned, nodded and said, “Thank you, Atticus!” “Thank you, God, for Atticus,” Mike said as I giggled. “And thank you for this food and for rain and for school.” Is that a blessing? Or just a prayer of thanksgiving? Like many of my friends, I […]
Atticus is doing great at drop-off in the mornings at his school, and he hugs his friends goodbye when he leaves in the afternoon. He is less anxious in the mornings and at bedtime, and he’s waking up less at night. But those early evening hours? Specifically between 5:00 and 7:00? They are challenging. He’s […]
Categories: How to save a life
At the beginning of August, I went to see Cheryl Strayed speak at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. I am a huge fan of the Dear Sugar column, and when she revealed herself as Sugar (it was written anonymously), I quickly put a hold on Wild, which was coming out in another month. (If you’ve […]
Categories: General
I’m not afraid of the dark when the sun goes down And the dreams grow teeth and the beasts come out and cast their long shadows Every time they start I’ll be right here with you, I’m not afraid of the dark. -Josh Ritter Atticus has been waking between 4:00 and 5:00 am and needing […]
I can’t remember the last time I posted a list of links, but there are some things I’ve read in the past few weeks that I’d like to put in front of your eyeballs. So. A list of links! I met Katie Noah Gibson at the Glen Workshop, where she shared beautiful stories about her […]
Categories: General
The morning office. (Or, the liturgy to begin the school day.) The Call to the Media Specialist Can you look at this laptop? Why is my computer not working? I need help with my projector. Is anyone signed up for the lab? The Request for Presence Teachers, please report to your duty stations. The Call […]
Categories: General
The joy I have felt about getting in the zone at work has been tempered somewhat by the fact that the beginning of school has been particularly hard on Atticus. He is doing great at his own school, playing with the other kids and singing songs and showing off how much he knows. He is […]
Categories: How to save a life