One of the final lengthy conversations I had with #MyAwesomeDad… was about the day he and #MyMom finally moved into the house I grew up in. It was the first of 16 new houses occupied on South 234th Place in Des Moines. I was just six months old, and with two older sisters, our current Read more about The Give and Take in Pastores, Guatemala[…]
In our laundry room downstairs, a discarded teak book shelf holds my causal threads. Of the four shelves, I’d say the top one gets the most action. I’m a regular on E-Bay seeking size 38 Ex-Officio tan shorts. Yes, those same style I’ve been sporting in for a dozen years. “Quality never goes out of Read more about Socks Don’t Have to Match[…]
In 1982, my parents made a trip to Hawaii, post a 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration in our family home. At the time, the best “local” beach accommodation was the Outrigger on Waikiki. Halfway into their week-long stay, which included my little sister Annie, the hotel room phone rang. “Are you expecting something from home” was Read more about Joining Spirits on Airport Beach[…]
When my Dad turned 18, he received a letter from the President of the United States. It looked similar to thousands of others that landed in US mailboxes. This was anything but junk mail. He knew it was coming but hoped his name and address would be lost in the system. He’d already met the Read more about Hawaiian time with #MyAwesomeDad[…]
In her days of clarity, my mom used to share a story with me each birthday. Being a couple days past my due date, the solution beyond speed bumps in the station wagon was an IV. Her words: “Your father and I ran into Gramps while standing on 4th and Pike, noticing my good sized belly, Read more about This Son Goes Around the Sun[…]
Hi Mom, It’s your special day! Happy Birthday to the one who put on at least 100 birthday parties a year, many for kids that would not have had a party if not for you and the loving staff you guided with grace. I wanted to let you know I‘ve been leaning on your lessons Read more about A Birthday Card, Heaven Sent![…]
The combination of excitement and nerves are palpable today. At 58 years old, I’m about to cross a threshold I set for myself in 1988. This redirect of life was a deliberate roadmap to step away from a comfortable role I was nearly born into. Staying would mean continued focus on fulfilling someone else’s vision. Read more about On the Verge[…]
Waikiki Beach was the first tropical sand my toes ever knew. It was a last minute surprise visit to see my vacationing Mom and Dad in 1983. I convinced my roommate Randy that a week in the island sun would be a fantastic getaway. The white push button house phone in the Reef Hotel lobby Read more about Birthday fun in the sun, minus one[…]
My parents had a giant storage space in our garage. Painted aqua marine, it stood about six feet high and ran around eight feet long. It took in lots of seasonal goods and was the resting spot for discarded sports equipment, including most of my out of season hockey gear. Whenever one of us was Read more about A Childhood of Thanksgiving[…]
Neighbor Francesca arrived at the ivy covered iron fence this morning around 8AM. I was sitting in my familiar morning spot taking in my second mini cup of very strong coffee. I took note she was trying to pass a blue plastic colander full of green beans picked 20 minutes before. Luisa grabbed the bottom Read more about My Mom-Dividere Sempre-Always be sharing[…]