Good morning... My husband and I both gave our own blessing to our youngest child as we took him to college on Saturday. At our son's request, I made him three large homemade Stromboli's to share with his three roommates on their first evening in their new apartment. My husband also gave the blessing of words, [...]
Good morning... These three annual words are more complicated this year. "Back to school" means virtual learning for many. "Back to school" for others means social distancing, mask-wearing, quarantining when exposed to COVID-19. "Back to school" for our family means the end of an era. Today, we will pack up two cars, drive seventy-five minutes to Athens, Georgia, [...]
Good morning... I am not the only one wrestling with this year's unique experience of heading "back to school." Children and teacher, parents and grandparents, caregivers and concerned folk everywhere are all wondering, "How do we do this school year well?" Earlier in the week, our church sent out a specialized prayer. Wherever we wake this Sunday morning, we come [...]
Good morning... Still savoring this week's post, To My Surprise, I thought to myself, "Within the first twenty-four hours of life, these baby cardinals felt their own hunger, found their own voice, asked for what they craved, and their red feathered father naturally nurtured their basic needs. If birds can do this, why is it so hard for [...]
Good morning... Separation from our old normal happened bit by bit. First the cancelation of highly anticipated large group gatherings, then unplugging from beloved small group supports. Next staying away from familiar buildings, church, school, office, then safely distancing from the homes of family and friends. Gradually we reduced ourselves down to computer contact, Zoom, online learning, and [...]
Good morning... "This is our graduation room/table for today," she graciously wrote, trying to salvage and share a special sense of celebration during this strange season of pandemic-stricken Plan B's. "I thought I would share these pictures, because through your blog you sent the 'blessing' I will use as our devotional at our meal," [...]
Good morning... Looking back, my father graduated from Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City, Ohio. The year was 1957. Last week, my dad sent me an article from his most recent Tippecanoe '57 Newsletter. I think you might enjoy this positive perspective just as much as I did. ****** Something Positive May Come Out of the Coronavirus ? [...]
Good morning... Hindsight offers a rich perspective on the tapestry of our lives. Right now, as we live forward, exactly what comes next hides from our view. Yet eventually, many of us will live on, looking back, telling our children and their children about the COVID-19 story. I am grateful to those who sent me this poignant YouTube [...]
Good morning... "It looks like your Mom and I need to get to Atlanta so we can have our hair cut," my dad texted this weekend from Ohio, joking about the controversial decision by Georgia's governor to reopen some "essential businesses." Hair and nail salons. Tattoo and massage parlors. Restaurants, movie theaters, and bowling alleys. Sequestering for several [...]
Good morning... For some, the first version of this morning's message, A Gift From A Grandma, did not come through with audio throughout the whole sweet song. So, I have reworked our message and added a different link to our adorable video. From behind a closed door in another state, one grandmother reached out to send me a [...]
