“Mom, I’m gonna really miss you!” How many times have I heard that phrase? Usually it was when one of my children was stretching our connecting cord… off to college or to another part of the world. But this time I was the one leaving. I was the moving end of the cord. I was going back home, and she was staying to begin a new part of her life. Sometimes I feel my life cord doesn’t just stretch. It’s more like a bungee cord. Hopefully it brings me safely back to where I was. Th

“I’m sorry, but we don’t have the size of car you reserved. I only have cars three grade levels higher. We do have some nice SUVs on the lot.” “But we got such a good deal online. And we really don’t want to pay the cost of that bigger car. After all we need it for three weeks.” “Oh, no problem! You can have the bigger car for the same price. No extra cost for the upgrade.” We couldn’t believe our good fortune… the blessing of a great car and a great price! *** Bargains are w

“Mom, what do we DO with all of this?” My young children whispered their overwhelmed anxiety as they took in the array of china, silver, and crystal in front of each of them. Our family had been invited to a fancy wedding reception, children included. I knew they would behave well and appropriately since we had carefully guided their table manners over the years. However, these elaborate place settings intimidated us all. “Just start using the silverware furthest from the pla

“Thank you for the invitation, but I’m sorry I can’t join the choir. I really enjoy singing, but I can’t always make rehearsals. My lupus sometimes flairs up, and I’m wiped out in the evenings.” Eloise was a wonderful singer. I knew that because I was sitting in front of her in church that morning and heard her lovely voice. “But Eloise, that doesn’t matter. You can still sing on Sunday when you’re able.” “I can? I thought I had to be at the rehearsal the week before we sang.