Author’s Note: This piece was written several days ago, but it took me almost a week to show up enough to post it. Baby steps, y’all, baby steps. ****** Earlier today I sat down to write. The conditions were optimal, just the way I like it. A candle flickered in…
A version of this post was originally published almost two years ago, in the midst of a long and stressful winter. And although there is no snow on the ground where I live and we are gearing up for Christmas, not Valentine’s Day, this post seems particularly applicable right now.…
“Why can’t we have lights on the outside of the house this year?” Teddy has asked about a thousand times in the past two weeks. “We had them last year.” Each time, I remind him that we aren’t putting lights on the house this year. “But look at that house.…
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Obviously. Maybe if I keep saying it, it will start to sink in and feel more real. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Most years, I jump headlong in the holiday season with abandon. I turn on the Christmas music in early November, bake…
Writing a book is often compared to having a baby, and if we are going to make that analogy, then I am definitely about ready to pop. I’ve toured the hospital and prepped the nursery. I’ve lined the shelves with blankets and bottles and onesies. All that’s left now is…
“What are we doing today?” Teddy – my four-year old – likes to ask this question each morning. He likes to know the plan for the day. He likes to know whether it is a swimming lesson day or a preschool day or a church day. He likes to know…