making sense of life in the details
For the past several years on New Year’s Eve, our sweet hosts have pulled out a sheet of cardboard on which everyone writes their goals for the year ahead in permanent sharpie. One year I wrote that I would find our dog, Bailey, and I did. Another year I wrote that I would run a... Continue Reading →
Everyone’s been asking about how I’m doing with my last child leaving for college. “I’m fine,” I reply. “Surprisingly good, I am just so excited for her.” And it’s true, what a different experience this time around. I’m not gathering up baby pictures and memories. We are way behind on dorm shopping, and I’m okay... Continue Reading →
My dog, Bailey, walks with me and a little ahead. She can often smell or sense things I cannot, so in those moments, she’ll take the lead, but otherwise she stays with me, side by side. With me and a little ahead. It brings back a memory of when I was twenty, invited on retreat... Continue Reading →
I was sitting on a bench trying to make out a song I heard coming from a truck across a parking lot. I was waiting on a message. As I walked the dog today, I asked God to open the door to my heart and come in for a while and speak. It had been... Continue Reading →
apple green kitchen walls pinecones that smell of cinnamon bare feet walking on smooth floors tangy greek yogurt and icy blackberries lungs that fill and empty sun shining through windows mushy dog who holds my gaze flannel and fleece quiet and calm hot coffee and cold milk honey yellow pillow, sky blue... Continue Reading →
My dog does not speak English, though I wish she did. When I leave in the morning, I wish I knew for sure that she understood I am always coming back. She sometimes looks so fearful in those moments just before the door closes; I always think, if we just spoke the same language, it... Continue Reading →
One year ago, we brought our dog home from a rescue shelter in New Hampshire. It was a long journey for her, from Arkansas to New Hampshire to here, and she had at least three different names along the way. It was a long journey for us as well. For many years, I was the... Continue Reading →
my dog is adopted she had a whole life before this and she used to shake and shudder and not eat and not walk in those early days with us then she barked at passers-by apparently concerned about her safety or mine and I couldn't understand it because I knew she was safe but she... Continue Reading →
I am a few days into the Summer of Dread. With one kid at camp and one out working, I feared I would find myself aimless and depressed, and I will battle those demons in these months, to be sure. What I did not know is how a dog would change everything. Back when my... Continue Reading →
My dog, the teenager. I have had a dog for almost two weeks, and I am trying to reconcile the nature of our relationship. I’m not my dog’s Mom, certainly, but there are elements of Mom-ness that I must incorporate into our exchanges so that everything in the house runs smoothly. Being the mother means... Continue Reading →
