It’s All In the Letting Go

sisters

A very long time ago, when I had a tiny baby, someone told me that successful parenting is a series of letting go moments. I didn’t believe it then. But now that I’ve lived it, I know it’s true. I remember holding her, rocking her, inhaling the baby smells, feeling her little head nestling on [...]

Holiday Challenge: Say the Unsaid

family photo

For the past few years, I’ve made a complete Thanksgiving dinner at our house before we celebrate with extended family. It’s the one time each year we get out the china, silver and Waterford crystal and eat by candlelight in the dining room. It takes all day to prepare the turkey, dressing, side dishes and [...]

Hot Coffee, Cold Beer and Dell

cup of coffee

I’m going to preface this by saying that sometimes I have weird dreams. And weird thoughts. So maybe this is one of them, but it’s a kind of a fun mental game I’ve been playing for quite some time. A few weeks ago, on the way home from our last lake trip, I shared my [...]

Empty Nest Countdown: One. Week.

college dorm life

This countdown is getting serious. She leaves in One. Week. What do you do the last week before your last child leaves for college? It’s busy for her as she says goodbye to her friends, packs and cleans her trash pit dumping zone room. Busy for me as I plan the send-off dinner, try to [...]

The Empty Nest Countdown: 20 Days

Elizabeth, now 21, and Sara Ann, now 18 at the lake in 2002.

In 20 days, my youngest daughter, Sara Ann, leaves for college. It’s the most significant life change since I first became a mother in 1988. I’ve been counting down the days, not to be morbid, but because it’s easier for me to process if I’m aware of what is happening. We spent this past weekend [...]