My Symbol of Motherhood
It’s a small object, usually lost, often overlooked, but of prime importance in our family. I present to you that the Goody Ouchless Elastics (hair bands) represent motherhood to me. First of all, I buy the 30 pack almost every few months. You would think we could keep them all in one place, but no. […]
You Need One of These in Your Life
Today I realize how much I need a cheerleader (or two or three–maybe the whole squad). I do! Even with my over-the-top energy, enthusiasm, and “I can do it!” attitude, I need cheerleaders. How do I know? Because so far this month, the cheerleaders have made all the difference. My cheerleader walking friend keeps me […]
Your Wound Is as Deep as the Sea
This morning I read the prophet Jeremiah’s poem in Lamentations 2. Here, he writes God’s words of sadness over sin. He says, “Your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you?” I imagine the question posed so lovingly, almost as if God allows us to try and imagine every possible avenue of […]
In Case You Hadn’t Thought of This Already: Managing Winter Things with Hanging Shoe Racks
Today’s the day we try on winter coats and boots to see what we need for the new season. Children grow so fast! We grow out of mittens and snowsuits in just one year. I’m sitting in a big pile of scarves, hats, and mittens, and I’m wondering what to do with them all. Normally, […]
Because They Might Say, “Yes!”
I find myself noticing all the friendship and dating relationships emerging within the one class where that one brave student called on the first day, “Does anyone want to have lunch together?” That one question built something special; this group of once-strangers now eat together twice a week–at least–and enjoy true community. I ask the […]
How Would You Have Answered These 4 Questions College Students Ask?
Yesterday, my student asked if she could interview me for her Biobehavioral Health class assignment. I thought these interview questions might have something to do with stress, work-life balance, or my unnatural love of semicolons and vivid verbs. I’m used to student interviews; many courses send students out to gain career insight from professors, and […]
Slow Change
It’s discouraging to lose weight when you age because it’s a slow change. It’s a pound a week–maybe. It’s discouraging to enter the teenage years with children when you say the same things over and over again. It’s a slow change for them to grow into independence and to gain more and more responsibility. It’s […]
Consider This
In my writing class today, we talked about our campaigns for campus change. Students observe a problem, identify root causes of that problem, and then write a plan to motivate people to change. We talk about topics like technology addiction, binge drinking, conformity, unhealthy eating, sleep deprivation, and caffeine dependency. Every semester, I add in […]
Clearer Vision of What’s Been There All Along
On the walk to school, I point out in amazement all the blue jays and finches. They fly in and out of the bare tree branches. It’s freezing; I have my mittens on and my hood pulled tightly around my face. Yes, a new season has come. “Look! Isn’t it amazing?” I pause and ask […]
Right Around This Time, It Happens
I feel one special joy that comes with growing older (that I’ve thought about three or four times just this weekend). Growing older means you get the joy of helping younger people grow into themselves. It’s happening more and more: I’ll be somewhere–a party, in my office, in my neighborhood, at church, anywhere–and younger people […]