Of the many Nativities my wife collected with which my daughter has wonderfully decorated our home for Christmas, only two place the infant in his mother’s arms. Sure, the cradle, the hay, I get it. At some point the new mom needs her rest. But when artisans design these things, they have a wonderful opportunity […]
Letter: Put On Hold
She was definitely a multi-tasker. My wife and I were sitting at her cubicle awaiting our appointment, and the multiple-lit blinking phone was indicating others were waiting as well. “Excuse me,” she said as we were seated, whereupon she picked up the phone, punched a button, apologized to the person on the other end of […]
Letter: It Was Perfect
This year was the first time our family’s traditional search for The Perfect Christmas Tree was held without her. I lost my wife to cancer on the first day of spring. For fifty years, The Perfect Christmas Tree my wife selected was – always – in the very farthest reaches of the acres and acres […]
Letter: Looking Back the Way We Came
I love to wander but I am not lost. I love to wonder but I already know the answer. I wonder about life and its purpose. There’s something about loving the one who has been for so long so precious, and then losing her, that forces us – me anyway – to contemplate what difference […]
Letter: Even If
“She’ll never graduate from high school. Never get married. There will be no more birthdays or Christmases. She died.” I was doorbelling for my campaign for the school board and the fellow uttering these words was angry for soon as I mentioned “school” that was his trigger. He had lost his young daughter. He was […]
Letter: Her Final Gift
She was arrested for speeding in the fabric store. Ok, to be honest, she really wasn’t arrested for speeding in the fabric store. Just pulled over and warned. Ok, that’s not true either. Here’s what happened. It was approaching Christmas a year ago and my wife of 50 years wanted to crochet a blanket for […]
Letter: The Path We Take
She would go barefoot 24/7 if she could, this little granddaughter of mine. Snow, rain, and puddles do not phase her at all. In fact, she loves to press her cold hands against my face just to hear me holler. We were there, her grandma and grandpa, when awkwardly, robotically, one step, and then two, […]
Letter: She Loved the Nativity Most of All
A couple of the grandkids stopped by the other day, looked around and one of them said as only an uninhibited child can do: “Grandpa, you have a lot of work to do to get ready for Christmas!” Then the other chimed in: “We can’t have Christmas without coming here! We always have Christmas here!” […]
Letter: Silver-ribboned Stairs – Where Will They Lead?
On the rare early mornings this winter time of year, it used to be that as the sun appeared over the top of the hill the momentary sunlight would turn the edgings on the stairs into silver ribbons, horizontal icicles, shooting stars. Then, lost in thought, my hands cradling a cup of coffee in order to stay […]