I can't remember the first time she said it aloud, but somewhere in my early twenties my mother uttered the words, "I think the hardest stage of parenting is parenting adult children" That sentence, like most of what she said to me in that chapter of my life was heard but not digested, seeming the … Continue reading Adult Children →

As our oldest child was anticipating his 13th birthday, Jonesy and I made the decision to throw a party for each of our children that would be a celebration of who they are and an opportunity to bring in the adults in our children's lives to bless them. We both had great mentors who poured … Continue reading Thirteen →

I think it is dangerous to romanticize the lives of those who have passed on, but at the same time it is such a gift to fall into the soft comfort of memories that remain of a life well spent. Today is the ninth anniversary of saying goodbye to a woman I strive to emulate. … Continue reading Ma Jewel and the Long Road →

Having teenaged daughters has allowed for a lot of growth in my life. The world my generation grew up in is nothing like the world in which my girls are finding their voices. Recently in a conversation with one of my girls, I came to understand that my girls consider themselves progressives. They consider themselves … Continue reading International Day of the Girl Child →

I'm sitting on the side of the road waiting for my third child to return from her road test for her driver's test. This is the fourth time I have been dropped off at this location to wait. One of my kids had to take the test twice. I am always a little nervous as … Continue reading Driven →

I had plans. Big Plans. Travel and make a lot of money plans. Use that money and go to Law School plans. There were a million things I wanted for myself, for Jonesy, for our life. We had goals. But there were two lines that changed everything. While, it took me a little time to … Continue reading The Most Wonderful Thing I Never Planned →

As a teenager, the go-to devotional song of young people of faith expressed: Oh Lord, I need a mountain to climb on Just a quiet place to go and know you're there Oh Lord I need to spend some time with you, Spend some time with you, dear Lord, in prayer. I sang that song … Continue reading The Mountain →

A man is exposed to the stomach flu three days before he gets on his first cruise. After his first day at sea, he shows symptoms of the stomach flu. Because he is on the boat, he associates his illness to the boat. He is stuck out at sea suffering and he vows that cruises … Continue reading The Post Hysterectomy Post →

The only plan for the day was to get married. Our six o'clock appointment with Elvis was set. I had laid out our wedding clothes the night before to be sure we were set. Each of us had blue suede shoes to fill. What had been a joke of a dream would today be a … Continue reading Images →