Back to school ads. They're appearing earlier and earlier in the summer. Early enough to create turf wars between back to school and the Fourth of July industries. While early July is way too soon to think about going back to school, the same can not be said for the end of July in many parts of the country. Like my part of the country where the school year begins on August 14. Yes, … [Read more...]
Elevators, Bathrooms, and Car Trunks
Elevators. Bathrooms. Car trunk. What could those three random items possibly have in common?As it turns out, quite a lot for my 1960s family that included a father who had multiple sclerosis (MS) and used a wheelchair. Dad's mobility was dependent upon... Elevators He loved department stores that had them. Because elevators meant he could join his wife and kids while we shopped for school … [Read more...]
Before and After
Photo Source For almost 32 years, my life has been divided into before and after. Before our first child was born, And after he came into our lives. Before the doctor came in to say something was wrong, And after we agreed to send our son to a bigger hospital by ambulance. Before another doctor called with a diagnosis, And after our newborn was life flighted 750 miles away for … [Read more...]
3D Printers: The Future Is Now
I puffed away at my morning stretches and exercises. The radio was on, as a distraction from the pain and boredom. But I was composing a mental to do list and only half listening. Until. Until the announcer said something about 3-D printers and tracheomalacia. He went on to define the medical term my husband and I first heard in 1982. The doctor had used it to explain why our newborn baby's … [Read more...]
Just Enough Hope
This past winter was a doozy. Long. Snowy. Cold. Dark. But eventually, the daylight hours started increasing. The cardinals and wrens began singing in the morning. The robins came back. The temperatures started rising in late February, and so did my spirits. Until I caught a cold. Sore throat. Plugged ears. Red nose. Bad cough. This winter reminded me of my first winter as a new … [Read more...]
Spiritual Decluttering of the Special Needs Kind
For the past two months, I've been a woman possessed. A woman possessed by a mission to declutter every closet, cupboard, drawer, display case, basement storage cubby, and attic shelf in the roomy old farmhouse that's been our home since 1991. Why? Because if I declutter now, our anticipated move to be closer to our kids in four years when my husband retires will be much, much easier. By … [Read more...]