Hasenpfeffer. The German name for “Rabbit Stew”. I became familiar with the term as a youngster watching Bugs Bunny cartoons where Yosemite Sam was ordered to make the dish for the petulant king whom he served as chef. I have since used it to describe what I would like to do with any unwelcome hare in either my garden or on my forthcoming holiday calendar. Let’s face it, while Easter is … [Read more...]
His Delight
We held the glowing cake in his line of remaining vision, behind him and to the left. Four candles flickered as the air swept currents of “Happy Birthday” notes swirling around our living room. Calvin’s eyes danced with excitement at the candles, his grandpa’s arms and the siblings crowded around. This fourth birthday was the first to see him alert and lively, not teetering on the brink of … [Read more...]
“Get a Life!”
"Get a life!" I’m often tempted to say that: • When things aren’t going my way I think, “Wow, if I could just get a life!” • When frustrated, I sometimes say, “This is life?” • As a young mom changing diapers I’d catch myself thinking, “This is not what I thought children were going to be all about. I wonder when I’ll get a life.” • When our son wasn’t developing on schedule and we’d … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities
I am so excited to share my new book, The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities with you! Here is an excerpt from the Introduction, to give you an idea of what it's all about. It was written for you, dear reader! Henri Nouwen is one of the great spiritual teachers of my life. I never met him in person, but I knew him intimately through his books on the spiritual life and his … [Read more...]
Made For Another World
There I sat, in a fully reclined canvas chair under a cluster of palm trees. The sandy beach in front of me was like fine white powder bordered by a clear blue sea that looked more like a swimming pool than an ocean. The sapphire water met a cerulean sky at the horizon, almost making it hard to distinguish one from the other. A welcoming sun set high and bright in the heavens on this … [Read more...]
At the End of Your Rope?
A letter from my 61-year-old self to my 35-year-old self: Dearest Kathy, I know you're scared. It’s been obvious from the beginning that something was not right with Joel’s development. Lack of oxygen during his birth, severe jaundice, an arrogant doctor who didn’t answer your questions and didn’t insist on hospitalization for the jaundice, floppy muscles, delayed developmental … [Read more...]