Un-Hallmark Mother While I gifted icon carnations and Hallmark lines, “Mother” to me smelled of duty and mothball wisdom. She my root of conscience, scruple permission to pursue the chaotic then, like her, to sort and label. I lived for her sideways compliments overheard in conversations with her friends. Her widow-grief broke down walls: She… Continue reading Un-Hallmark Mother
Mother Speaks Do not throw it away, we’ll use it for patches. We can always eat bread—and eggs. Na-yo.* Are you reading again? Still not done the dishes? You could always weed the garden. Homework? Early. So much to do. I’ll be in the garden. Don’t be listening on the line. Felt pens! Can you… Continue reading Mother Speaks (NPM ’16-Day 19)
A week ago, waiting in the doctor's office, I spent some of the time people-watching. A mother and her 18-month-old caught my eye. The little guy, still in his foot PJs, was full of sauce (he was obviously not the sick one). He kept wriggling from Mom's lap and wandering off into the nursing station… Continue reading Delight
"Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven…'" Matthew 18:2,3. When Holly, host of Spiritual Journey Thursday, mentioned that she was intending… Continue reading Converting to Childhood
Without Proof by Janet Sketchley My rating: 5 of 5 stars Two years after her fiancé Gilles died beside her in the cockpit of the plane he crash-landed on a Nova Scotia highway, Amy Silver is getting back on her feet emotionally and physically. She has even taken off the gold chain that held Gilles’… Continue reading Without Proof (review)
Let's Pretend We're Normal: Adventures in Rediscovering How to Be a Family by Tricia Lott Williford My rating: 5 of 5 stars “Mr Responsible died, suddenly and tragically. He was sick for only twelve hours. ... A thief named sepsis stole his breath and his heartbeat, and his spirit slipped right through Curly Girl’s fingers,… Continue reading Let’s Pretend We’re Normal (review)
Sorry I'm Not Sorry: An Honest Look at Bullying from the Bully by Nancy Rue My rating: 5 of 5 stars When twelve-year-old Kylie, the leader of a posse of bullies, is summoned to the principal’s office of Gold Country Middle School one morning in June (along with her parents, her friends, and their parents),… Continue reading Sorry—I’m Not Sorry (review)
Secrets and Lies: A Redemption's Edge Novel by Janet Sketchley My rating: 5 of 5 stars Carol Daniels has moved with her 16-year-old son Paul from Calgary to Toronto at the beginning of Secrets and Lies, Janet Sketchley’s second book in the Redemption Edge Series. It wasn’t a move of choice but of necessity, to… Continue reading Secrets and Lies (review)
Grandma's Fingerprint by Ann Griffiths My rating: 4 of 5 stars In Grandma’s Fingerprint Ann Griffiths tells the story of her Grandma Mabel and how she impacted and influenced her life. The story begins when Ann was six. She recalls her mother driving her and her siblings away from their father one night and how… Continue reading Grandma’s Fingerprint (review)
Violet Nesdoly 