Salty like hot dogs (and tears). Sweet like marmalade (and life).
My father asked his primary care physician yesterday,”Did I ever tell you how I came to Cooperstown?” “I’d love to hear that story,” she said. She wheeled her stool a little closer and leaned it to listen. “When I was in high school, I… Continue Reading “Connect the Dots”
Yesterday I ran into someone at the pool that I hadn’t seen in years — Bridget‘s father. Bridget was on the first team that I coached and I still think back on her fondly. In fact, I had just been telling Laurel about Bridget… Continue Reading “A Privilege”
“Quite frankly, God,” I said, “I’m getting a little tired of working on this patience thing. Could we move on to something else?” Yesterday morning, I had been awakened by my father’s whistling. It’s happy whistling — “O Danny Boy” — evidence of his… Continue Reading “Patience”
A Facebook friend has been asking a “Question of the Day.” Yesterday, he asked this: Who is your “I’ve never met you and likely never will” mentor? I realize more and more how much of a mentor my mother was for me. She was,… Continue Reading “Mentor”
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot do, I can’t “fix” my loved one. I can’t make him think more clearly. I can’t make him understand. I can’t go back in time, and mustn’t languish over how or what he… Continue Reading “Caregiver’s Serenity Prayer”
In the selfishness of my heart, I could picture it — somebody taking care of me. Fixing all my meals. Bringing me the foods I like. Tending to my needs. Like a cruise ship — without the cruise or all the people. Being a mom and… Continue Reading “Taking Care of Me”
The following is an edited version of a post first published on January 2, 2012. I wrote it when my mother was still living at home and I was trying to help my father with her. My sister and I can carry on conversations using… Continue Reading “If You Say So”
The very best advice ever given to me was given by my mother-in-law. When I had just one little boy, life was fun. Oh, I thought it was hard because he didn’t sleep very well, but, all in all, it was fun. I had… Continue Reading “Do”
Last night (and the night before) Laurel said to me as she went to bed, “I’m sorry if I come in.” Sometimes she wakes up in the middle of the night with a bad dream and comes in our room. “It’s okay,” I told… Continue Reading “Other Duties As Assigned”
