The new picture book Belinda Baloney Changes Her Mind by Becca Carnahan delightfully explores the dilemma so many children face when asked “What do you want to be when you…
Read moreThe Hardest Part of Growing Up Is Dealing With Loss
My uncle, Donald George Hopkins, was born in Scranton on August 9, 1941 and died in Mexico on September 24, 2020. In between, he lived a full and interesting life.…
Read moreWhen Do I Have to Stop Calling You Mommy?
My early memories are filled with images of my mom. I was an only child until the age of 6, and like most moms at the time, she didn’t work…
Read moreOne of the Hardest Things About Parenting Is Letting Go
The closed door makes it easier to forget that there is one less person living under my roof. I should be used to empty rooms by now. I made my…
Read moreThe First Time You Do Anything Is Scary But Exhilarating
I recently took a trip of firsts. I had the opportunity to attend a writer’s retreat (my first) just outside the city of Omaha. Since I had never before been…
Read moreMy First Year on the Other Side
Last year I celebrated a milestone birthday, one that is frequently met with black balloons and obnoxious cards (thankfully my family spared me that). It was my second year as…
Read moreBasking in the Smells of Summer, Memories Flow and Make Me Smile
Certain smells bring back memories. I find this to be particularly true in the summer, maybe because I spend more time outdoors. Certain summer smells bring me back to my…
Read moreThe Mistake that Landed Me in a Hospital Bed for Mother’s Day
The morning of my first Mother’s Day, I opened my eyes to the sterile view of a hospital room. I hadn’t slept well, but not because my 10-week-old baby was…
Read moreThe Amazing Power of Certain Inanimate Objects
It breaks my heart whenever I see a post about a missing beloved toy. Last year there was a story that went viral about a bunny (different than this one)…
Read moreMy Love/Hate Relationship with T-ball
When my youngest was in kindergarten, she heard something at school about this great activity T-ball. She wanted to play; my husband decided to coach a team. The teams were…
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