As the mother of three young adults in their twenties, I find myself thrust into the memory of my own twenties often—and against my will, I might add [Read more…]
Archives for February 2016
I Didn’t Need Another Dad
Guest Post by Shaunna Howat
I didn’t need another dad. My dad died when I was 15, and I mourned that loss for years. By the time I was in college, I was doing okay–at least I said so to anyone who asked–and didn’t want another dad. One stepdad had moved in and then out of our lives, and it wasn’t the best experience for anyone concerned. That confirmed that I had been right: I didn’t need another dad. [Read more…]
On Birth: Daughters and Their Babies
UPDATE from Mama: Lana Nicole Lewis made her stunning entrance into this world at 2:11 pm today. She let mommy have a successful vbac with no complications! Lana is 6 pounds even and 19 inches long. She’s perfect, from her tiny toes to her scrunchy little face, even her name is perfect. Hospital policy has her in the NICU for the next 24 hours despite being as large and loud as she is! Thank you all so much for prayers and thoughts, we are thrilled with our little peanut!
A bit over two years ago, our beautiful younger daughter Tylesha invited us both to be present for the birth of her son, Ezekiel. Obviously, we accepted and witnessed the miracle of our baby girl becoming a mother. She handled childbirth like a champ, and the bond between mother and baby was instant. Tears streamed down her face as that little life transformed her own life. The privilege of walking alongside Tylesha in this adventure has touched our lives, and we are eternally grateful to her for sharing her little guy with us. We see her personality in his eyes. A fun-loving little mischief maker, Zeke loves to tease and giggle, charming his way into the hearts of everyone around him.
Little Zadok arrived just over a year after Zeke. His mama, Cassie, is our eldest, and her little man has all the personality of both her very bold and dramatic parents. Since he discovered his vocal chords, about two minutes after birth, he boldly asserted and clarified his position on a wide variety of issues, from dirty diapers to empty bellies. He’s turning into Daddy’s little sports fan as well, sharing a love of ESPN Sports Center.
Today, I write this post as Zeke awaits his new cousin, and Zadok’s little life is about to change drastically. Lana Nicole will arrive any moment now, as Mom, my little girl, is now 10cm and 100% effaced with water broken. My husband posted earlier that having grandbabies is way easier than having babies, but as I wait here at my keyboard for news over 700 miles away, I’m not so sure.
…and that’s the view From My Front Porch
I’ll update a photo to you as soon as I get one from my kiddos. Stand by for more!
The Final Spoke
Somehow death and suffering draw me to the keyboard and compel me to lay thoughts out on paper—or screen, as it were. Maybe that makes me a morbid person, but I prefer to think that loss drives me to evaluate those really important parts of my life: the relationships with those I love. I lost a friend last year, a strong man of fifty-three whose end came way too soon and way too fast, and then I heard [Read more…]
Pushy Paul and Marie Barone
Today, my quiet time took me to Philemon, that tiny, little-studied book of the Bible Paul wrote to Philemon, his “beloved co-worker” on behalf of his slave, Onesimus. Lately, I’ve been writing down the scripture I read because my brain just won’t stop and focus on a single thought or task on its own, and I have to trick it into paying attention. Believe me, it’s not because I’m some spiritual powerhouse in my quiet time. Writing it down, however, slowed my thinking and led me to a funny thought. Paul’s writing style, in his old age, became more like Marie Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond) than the style of his earlier writings.