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Lessons in Loss
Today marks three years without my mom. Every fall since her passing, my body remembers the crisp autumn air of 2022, when her health began to decline. I remember the cold mornings, the early sunsets, and the colorful drives up north. Fall has always been my favorite season; it still is. But now, woven into…
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Grandpop Movie Nights
One of my favorite family traditions that has started since my mom’s passing is “Grandpop Movie Nights.” Through visits for pleasure and recovery from illness or surgery, these evenings and their featured presentations have become a highlight of our trips north to Grandpop’s house. The rules are simple: the movie is Grandpop’s choice, and everyone…
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A Mother’s Prayer in a Broken World
It’s no secret that the events of the last few weeks have left people rattled, restless, and frustrated. We’re desperately trying to make sense of this profoundly broken world. The news feels like an endless cycle of tragedy—another day, another murder, another reminder of suffering. Certainly, we’ve all had a lot of thoughts swirling through…
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This Old House: Part Two
As we all know, life has a way of twisting and turning in ways you don’t expect. The old house that I wrote of over a year and a half ago is still with us, but not for much longer. (This Old House) Those best laid plans of getting her on the market last spring…
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A Little Society
Do you ever have those weeks where you just collapse at the end of each day and think it couldn’t possibly get crazier? It’s quite remarkable really, the sheer insanity of life sometimes. The routines and schedules, the ins and outs of family life, and keeping up with a world that just keeps spinning. Special…
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The Good Days
My dad and I just returned from a 22 hour road trip to sunny (but chilly) Indiana to celebrate my niece’s wedding. My 5 siblings and most of our kids traveled from all directions to systematically overtake the hotel lobby with our own brand of understated charism. We were all grateful for the opportunity to…
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A Bible and a Bottle of Bourbon
As I approached this 2 year anniversary of my Mom’s passing, there have been so many thoughts that have filled my mind. How I wish I could share the events of each day, the wisdom I wish she could give me, and the lessons she taught me. It’s overwhelming to reflect on the impact of…
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At the Ocean’s Edge
Our family just returned from our annual Outerbanks beach week. It’s our favorite week of the year. There is nothing that compares to beautiful ocean views, watching the kids outrun the surf, and time with family. Today would have been my mom’s 73rd birthday. We used to celebrate the September birthdays (my daughter, my father-in-law, and…
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When Dreams Come to Call
We had a lovely Independence Day while visiting my in-laws. We spent the day at Chautauqua Institution, a beautiful community on Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State. The grounds are historically beautiful and it’s 150-year tradition of education, creativity, and relaxation feels like an escape from the cultural norms of today’s world. We donned…
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From the Mountains to the Prairies
The last few weekends I’ve had the privilege of enjoying the views of the rolling hills of northeastern Pennsylvania. My dad’s recovery has been ongoing and he has been transferred to a rehab wing of a small hospital in rural PA. It’s a beautiful area, and whereas the typical drive is pretty, a bridge outage…
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