Living into the sacred space of God's everyday grace
As a child when I tested my mother’s patience, I always knew when I’d crossed the line. The Look could stop me in my tracks. The one that silently conveyed, “I’d like you to stop that.” That screaming, that banging, that whining or whatever was getting on her nerves. Sometimes it was The Tone that… Continue reading Enough Already
Neat and tidy date. Messy and chaotic day. At my very base, I want to scream, “I HATE MOTHER’S DAY!!!” Which I don’t, of course. It is important to me to celebrate my own mom and many others. So what it is about one day in particular that makes it so stinking hard? There’s nothing more… Continue reading 5.10.15
I’m ignorant about world geography. If the country of Canada weren’t just an hour and a half away, I’d never be able to say that I’ve technically left the United States. Those global maps with just the outlines of countries? They make my eyes twitch and my brow furrow. So it is with Nepal, now… Continue reading More than a song
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." ~ Will Rogers I’m always interested in learning how people arrive at a name for their dog. Maybe because in college, I had a dog named Oliver and a cat named Cherry Pie. Long story. As most… Continue reading My Girl
I always thought the “gray areas” of life would eventually work their way toward one side or the other and become more polarized. But it seems once a subject goes gray, it stays gray and to try to color it otherwise usually appears unnatural. (Writes the woman who is not ready to be gray and… Continue reading Gray
Edited to add: If you landed here as a result of searching for "baby box" please know that these are my personal thoughts only, most of which indicate that I have more emotional work to do. There is help for you - no questions, no judgment. Please know that I pray peace for you. (Fair… Continue reading Baby Box
Seven years ago today. Eleven and a half weeks. Confirmation that the (last) baby died. Time is a different entity when it comes to The Big Stuff. It coalesces into a combination of forever ago and just yesterday all in the same moment. I still access the grief. That makes it sound like a decision. … Continue reading Seven Years
Again and again I find myself feeling pinched by feelings of envy and jealousy. My beloved Spartans notwithstanding, green is not a pretty color on me. Sure, I've often had twinges of, "Gee, that would be nice..." when I hear of or see a blessing come into a friend's life. But lately I have allowed… Continue reading Green Monster
A Snippet of Grace by Frederick Buechner The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever… Continue reading Grace
I always thought it was “great-niece” but I’ve learned that it’s actually “grandniece.” Whatever it’s called, I have one. First ever. And I’m surprisingly – and often mournfully – absolutely in love with her. It’s easily the first baby I’ve spent any real time with. Well, since, yeah. There’s still nothing to call it. Moving… Continue reading Heart Broken
Patricia Alderman 