Mother’s Day 2024
Today I was asked an interesting question by my daughter in love. “What do you like about being a mom?” Of course what I love is not being “A” mom but who I get to mother! I love being Clayton and Emily’s mom! They are the 2 amazing people God gave Jim and I to…
The Other Woman
I am no longer the main woman in Clayton’s life. I have actually known this for a year. And I knew it would eventually happen. I even have prayed for it and yet now it is a bittersweet reality. My son shares his heart with someone else. She makes him happy. She asked me recently…
Parenting Parents
Let me start by saying that my amazing parents are living in their own home and are very intelligent and capable people. They are, however, definitely technologically challenged as many 80somethings are. Further, I can see how what many of my friends have experienced with their older parents is becoming a possibility with my folks…
Like Father Like Son
Hey Jim! … So yesterday our son told me he is interested in vocational ministry. I must admit that I find that daunting and I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because I can see how things have changed or because I have become a bit jaded. Maybe it is because I have seen…
Adulting and Deparenting
My kids are adulting and I must say I am proud at this bittersweet process, which includes deparenting too. Yesterday Emily went off of my family plan with Verizon and she and Connor, who dropped off His parents’ plan, are on their own plan. Clayton is doing his own taxes. Adulting is the modern term…
Short and Sweet
I am full today as I think about my family, both nuclear and extended. Jim has been gone “too long” (5 1/2 years exactly or 2008 days) but I make it though each day by God’s grace. I see Jim’s legacy in surprising and meaningful ways and I am proud to carry that legacy on.…
The Empty Nest Syndrome
I totally get”the empty nest syndrome“ at least what it is and that I am moving into that season of life where my children are grown and relatively independent. But, I was not prepared for some of the feelings and issues that come with it! I really see things differently now that my daughter has…
I am not a single parent!
I think it is interesting to be a widow in one respect – that of a parent. I feel like I am still married for starters, but I also I am not really parenting alone. Jim’s influence and leadership are still powerfully present in our family. Maybe because I don’t feel “single” in the true…