The familiar phrasing and beloved lyrics cascaded through the car. Instantly, the music transformed this mother of six, frantically running errands, into a shy seventeen-year-old sitting alone in a dark auditorium. It was Valentine’s Day my senior year of high school. Alone, I sat in the front...
Yesterday’s motivation and energy stared back at me from the long list of ideas sitting on my table. I had worked late into the evening the night before. And with each completed task, I added another—writing them down so I wouldn’t forget by morning. But when morning...
I have one cool plant in my yard - a lilac bush planted by a previous owner. Each spring, fragrant pale purple flowers bloom, filling the air with their beautiful scent. I adore this plant. For the past few years, it has faithfully blossomed. I’ve clipped blooms...
As I turned the corner, a familiar shape swooped down to a patch of green grass nearby. Red-chested, with a dark head and bright beak, the robin’s sharp eyes tracked my every step. Each day, he took up this same position as I walked by. I...
“What in the world?” I said to myself as a careless, judgmental thought crossed my mind. It wasn’t just a one-time reaction - it had become a pattern I was slowly beginning to recognize. Sarcastic and cynical jabs toward people and situations were creeping into my...
There’s no denying that I love autumn. Snuggly sweaters, cool temperatures, wood fires burning, and crisp leaves make my heart happy. Peak foliage season has arrived here in Virginia, and driving along country roads has been breathtaking. On recent walks through my neighborhood, I’ve been noticing...
The leaves are changing, and the days are cooler here in Virginia. As I pause to breathe and reflect on the last few weeks, I am so very grateful for all God's goodness, and equally exhausted because the days have been filled with busyness and unexpected challenges. I'm...
Awakening from a deep sleep, something felt different in my room. There was an energy and a presence I could sense...
Old egg cartons, an empty box, and a teal trash can clutter the floor of my kitchen. My son sits in the midst of the pile of trash imagining the transformation possibilities. In less than an hour, he converts the pile of waste into a...