The Wake Up Call that Frightened and Delighted

I’m awake and up before The Cowboy has gone to bed. It’s 1:21 a.m. and too darn early. I went to bed at 10, but I’m wide awake now. I’m afraid I’m getting weird. Unbalanced. And while I really love getting a jump on my day, I’m also afraid I’m getting pulled out of sync…

The Jerk and His Spoiled Brat

My phone dinged, “How about a hike?" came from daughter in law, Lollie. They picked me up a few minutes later, and we were off for The Pocket Trail in Chickamauga, GA. The boys were strapped in back when they arrived, listening to Harry Potter. Lollie seemed different--serious and quiet. Once we were on our…

How God Surprised Me

The ache in my chest was a tight knot, a familiar feeling.  I tried to tell myself I didn’t care, to push it down as I always had.  I went for a bike ride on our trails, straining hard against the pedals to climb pasture hills as I pushed hard on the knot to force…

My Second Chance with Daddy

Daddy had said he was living for Sadie’s wedding. Once he arrived, I realized how true that statement was, and what a labor of love it was for Grammy to get him there. All that was left of his 6’4”, 250 pound self was a shrunken and stooped 5’11”, 170 pounds. His double knee replacements…