I had a friend once whose little boy was diagnosed with cancer. During that dark journey, the family was forced to rely on community support in almost every aspect of their lives. Medical bills, car payments, child care and homework delivery were all handled by a team of people who just wanted to help.
I watched that little boy slowly deteriorate ... Read More
Have you ever felt like everyone was in on a joke except you?
I’m not sure if I should feel angry or sad, but deep in my heart, I’m feeling a strange combination of dark emotions that are all jumbled together and desperately striving to find the light.And it’s all the result of a third-grade birthday party.
My son goes to school ... Read More
I am the youngest of 50 cousins on my dad’s side of the family. I have several hundred second-cousins, but please don’t ask me to name more than 10 of them.
The last family reunion was held at a park in Wisconsin and was a bit of a community event. It’s always hard to tell who is really part of the ... Read More
There has been a big white garbage bag sitting on our back porch for about three weeks.
My sweet daughter, Jordan, planted a garden this spring, lovingly tended it all summer, beamed with pride when we used her homegrown carrots in a pot roast, and then painstakingly pulled all the left-over vines, leaves and roots when the weather turned cool.She ... Read More
Have you ever noticed that when you get something stuck in your mind you start seeing it everywhere?
When I gave up drinking, every billboard I drove past for at least a month was advertising some sort of alcoholic beverage.When Saul and I started thinking about getting a security system for the new house, it seemed like we had a non-stop ... Read MoreHave you ever had a life experience in which you thought to yourself, “If I can just live through this, it’ll all be OK?”
I have had several, and I’m a little embarrassed to say they weren’t caused by the bad things in my life. They were caused by the good things. Those moments of acute anxiety were caused by things ... Read MoreSeventeen years ago this very weekend, I competed in the Miss America pageant representing my home state of Wisconsin.
When the pageant was over, I came home with an interview award, $10,000 in scholarship money and a whole bunch of sparkly earrings (some of which are still in my jewelry box).When people ask how I did, I like to tell them ... Read More
There is a unique solidarity among coaches’ wives.
Coaches’ wives get the fact that our husbands watch tape until 2 a.m., and that they are on recruiting calls while we are on vacation, and that they walk around a little grumpy the day after a big loss.Coaches’ wives who are also moms understand something else: We often parent alone.
I pride myself ... Read More
This weekend is the last big hurrah for the lake crowd (sorry for reminding you) and for everyone else who wants to sneak in one last long weekend of fun before we buckle down for the fall.
I’m not sure if you know this about me, but I’m kind of a hermit. I would much rather stay home with my little ... Read More
Several months ago, when we left North Dakota for Ohio, we moved into a lovely home tucked into a quiet, wooded neighborhood in the city of Athens.
Just before you turn to go up the hill into our subdivision, you pass a little log cabin. On first glance, it’s beautiful. Very shabby-chic. On second glance, it’s a whole lot more shabby ... Read More
