I was 7 years old when my Pappaw died.
There are things I remember about him, even though I saw him with only a child’s eyes.
(more…)Family
A happy day
Today was a happy day.
I got to celebrate so many wonderful mothers in my life, but I want to take a few lines to talk about mine.
(more…)A book helped me understand
One of my favorite parts of my journalism job was when veterans told me their stories.
They told me how they jumped onto a beach in France, and they told me about sleepless nights in the Vietnam delta.
Sometimes, though, there were stories they weren’t ready to tell.
Sometimes, those memories were parts of their past they preferred to keep there so we let them lie buried.
There were words they couldn’t say, and scenes they didn’t want to replay.
I always accepted their hesitation without question, but earlier this year a book helped me understand it.
(more…)Life tips for my nephew
Mason,
When you were born Feb. 20, I was elated. A lot of things ran through my mind at once when I thought about you, mostly pride and a plan to travel the length of the country twice in a weekend to see you.
My pride has only deepened in the six days you’ve been here, especially since I heard you’ve already peed on your mama.
My plan didn’t happen, but there’s another one in the works and we’ve been officially introduced on FaceTime.
Since I wrote to your sisters shortly after they were born, I thought I’d try to write down some things you might need to know about life.
Sugar and spice
I spent last week with two girls.
War stories
My mama’s daddy died when I was 7 years old, but I learned a lot about him during the 2,815 days we shared. (more…)
Life’s too short not to be fishing
I suppose if someone tried hard enough they could come up with a list of things in life which are better than fishing, but I don’t imagine it would be too terribly long. (more…)
Learning to take it easy
When the calendar flips and a new trip around the sun begins, people sometimes reflect on times gone by.
They often look back with a focus on mistakes they made or how they can make this year better than the last.
This is not that kind of reflection. (more…)
A look back on a weird month
July was a roller coaster of a month — full of ups and downs — so it should be fun to look back. (more…)
Being prepared for anything
I know I posted about my Pawpaw yesterday, but when you live 83 years and have as much wisdom as he did your life is full of stories. I thought I’d share one more. (more…)