In spite of temps in the 90s, we had a lovely Fourth of July celebration at the home of our daughter, Kelsey, and her husband, Stephen. Everyone was in place by 10 in the morning because of getting there early to park. The parade started promptly at 10:30 with seemingly dozens of gorgeous Corvettes leading … [Read more…]
Sunday was my father’s birthday. Born in 1921, he would have been 97. His brother died at age 99, his sister at 96, both parents in their nineties. It seems unfair that he died in 1984 at age 62. But “life is not fair” is a mantra my children heard often. Things happen. Heart disease … [Read more…]
“How do you like retirement?” my friend Allison asked. “Love it, of course!” I replied. “But I loved teaching, too.” That’s the short answer. I love my scheduled activities and my impromptu ones. I love hosting the Bible studies at my house and helping my Egyptian friend and my Chinese friend with their English. I … [Read more…]
In 2010, my high school friend, Deloris Hutton, invited several women who had graduated from Portland High School in 1962 (Yikes! Really? That sounds prehistoric) to meet at her house in Louisville for a small reunion. The plan was to arrive on Tuesday afternoon and leave Thursday morning. Four of us jumped at the chance … [Read more…]
As I walk briskly through our small town, I admire many of the houses and yards. Most are meticulously kept and reflect their owner’s pride in their property. Certain people seem to have more of a green thumb than others; I watch for interesting ways to landscape. In addition, I notice weeds. When I was … [Read more…]
Friends. That’s a hard term to describe. I’d like to write about some of my true friends, but I hesitate to do so. How do I refer to them? I don’t want to number them, as though there is a pecking order, which there isn’t. Each friend is unique in time and place and personality … [Read more…]
Over the years of praying for my children and myself, I developed a list of characteristics that I pray for regularly. Sometimes I recall what event prompted an addition to the list; for most, I do not. Recently, as I was praying my list for my family, which now includes grandchildren, it occurred to me … [Read more…]
One of my earliest memories is my Sunday School class at the Clearview Church of Christ in Middle Tennessee, a country church far from any towns. My teacher was sweet Miss Dora, whom everyone called an “old maid,” never guessing that in her forties she would marry a rich man and eventually be a rich … [Read more…]
As we traveled last week, I was reminded of the small courtesies that some people are attuned to while others are not. Opening doors for others is a small matter, but it can always be done. It’s awkward when it’s a door to push, so I may have to go through first, but I can … [Read more…]
Let me tell you about the church in Natal, Brazil. I spent six weeks there in 2012 and 2014. In 2016 we did not intend to return, but we went for ten days to help with a camp after the regular Let’s Start Talking team had worked there for six weeks or so. The two … [Read more…]
