House in the Woods

I am trying to be more intentional in my life, to prioritize those things that really matter, and to create a peace and stillness in my life that makes it easier to hear, and feel that gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. It’s amazing what God will bring our way if we will pay attention.  When I park my car in the parking garage at work it is not unusual to have people speak to me either about my car, or to ask for directions. Yesterday a man pulled up beside me in his truck as I was getting out of the car and he said he had driven a mini in Europe and it was a blast. As we walked toward the entrance the man said “I sure hope today goes well”. I asked what was going on, and he shared he was headed to the 8th floor (oncology). He went on to say that his wife had somehow gotten an infection in her port and he was worried how that was going to impact her treatments. I told him I would pray for her, and we went our separate ways. I thought of the couple off and on throughout the day, and...

Mike and I have been dreaming for years about moving to the land in Georgia and building a home. We have looked at house plans and picked “the perfect one” many times as we tried to consider how to “be reasonable”, but have enough room for family, friends and whoever God sends our way. Dad named the property Camp Peace and Joy, and Mike and I both know it as a place of respite away from the “hustle and bustle” of everyday life. I have no idea what God has planned, but I want to be ready. Mike has been packing up, loading up, and taking up our things to the barn one load at a time on  his own. Now that the time is near I find myself excited, but also sad. It is a bittersweet feeling to be leaving the house I have lived in since January 1st 1992. We had three boys when we moved in.; Chris was 5, Matt was 3, and Josh 11 months. I fell in love with the house the first time I saw it, and the large back yard was a bonus. Our house was a “spec” home, and every time we came to look at it t...

My dad would be 81 years old today. I am grateful for all the years we had, but I certainly would not mind if I’d had more. Dad was a very wise man andhad a way with words. I find myself using his words of wisdom every day. Dad was generous with his love, and his money. He loved to help others and did not take lightly the responsibility to share what he had with others in a way that was respectful, encouraging, and not hurtful.  One of my favorite quotes was “If you give someone a car, but they can’t afford insurance or gas, have you really helped them?” The other statement that comes to mind every day is “be reasonable.” Dad believed in moderation (except when it came to his grandchildren). I strive to be a daughter he would be proud of every single day in all that I say and do, but the best thing is knowing Dad also believed in grace, and I know he loved me unconditionally. In honor of dad I will try to help in ways that preserve dignity and do not hinder, to practice moderation,...

It came up quickly, and for the first time since I was six years old I wasn’t going to be able to see my mama, or at least talk to her on Mother’s Day. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel, but my hope was that I would be able to celebrate her, and focus on the memories, and good times.  My family knows that when I get up, and start cleaning, organizing, and rearranging it usually means I am trying to process strong emotions. Saturday I found myself doing just that. It took time for me to realize what was going on...I was missing my mama. I wanted to see her, and tell her what’s been going on. I wanted another opportunity to tell her I love her. I wanted to hear her laugh when she tries to tell a joke, and can’t remember the punch line. I wanted to see her face light up when she opened the new outfit that always had purple on it somewhere, and to pin the orchid on her before we left for church.  As time goes by the shock wears off, and reality sets in. She is not here anymore...

 I’ve been mulling over for a few weeks now, how to put into words what Anita has meant to me through the years. She came into my life when I was a teenager,  when she started working for my dad as his secretary. She was part of a large family that became very important to mine. Her dad, Sonny and his brother, Charlie were married to two sisters; her mom, Linda and her aunt Brenda. I always called them “the Potts and Pans” to keep them straight. I remember the whole Potts family being involved in The Living Christmas Tree, and Anita being in the ensemble and how captivating her voice was. There are also memories of cookouts, holidays, and lots of love, and laughter, and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it. She became a confidante, someone I could share my heart with, without any fear of judgement. When I was married to my children’s father she sang in the wedding. She had the voice of an angel, but was so very humble about it. I watched her as she and my dad were married. ...

 Originally posted on Wordpress  September 1, 2020 It is getting harder… Mom has had some major changes lately. Actually, a more appropriate way to say it is, mom has had a major decline. I really dislike that word, decline. We use it at work to help families understand what is happening with their loved one, but there is no way that one word can describe the loss. There are times she is not sure who I am. She knows I am important, but she’s not sure why. She is showing signs of “sundowners”. This burst of energy, and need to move at bedtime. She’s always been a night owl, and I have always been a morning person. About the time I am ready to lay down she is ready to start moving. I have a baby monitor in her room so I can see, and hear her if she needs me, and I have to admit, I probably spend way too much time just watching her, instead of sleeping. My cousin sent some pictures that my aunt had put away the other day. There were pictures of mom with clear, and confident eyes,...

  Originally posted on Wordpress  August 26, 2020 I captured this shot on the way to work Monday morning, when I was driving back from the pond in Georgia. Pardon the haze, my lens fogged up when I jumped out of the car on the side of the road. I’ve always had a fascination with sunrises, and sunsets, and the way clouds actually emphasize the beauty of the light. As a teenager spending summers on my grandparent’s farm, I could be found many evenings, out in the yard when the sun was going down, trying to somehow capture the beauty of the colors. I found that the limitations of the camera lens could not do it justice. I’ll admit at that time in my life I didn’t capture many sunrises. They came way too early! I’m amazed at how every single sunrise, and sunset are different. I’m also learning how quickly they change, and I only get one chance to try and capture what I see. I’ve also begun to appreciate that the clouds are often what brings out the beauty of the light. So many lif...