I like mustard. My son likes mustard. When my parents drove to town to take my oldest son to celebrate his belated birthday, they told him to pick his favorite place to eat. We arrived at his favorite sandwich shop …
Our Holy No
We were two months into being empty nesters when our youngest son started sending me a flurry of texts. He was attending a college nearby and desperately wanted my car for the weekend. Instead of responding with a simple, I’m …
When My Five-Year-Old Evicted Jesus From His Heart
It was bedtime and it was my turn to tuck the little man in. We usually lay down with him for about 10 minutes before he sleeps. He uses that time wisely to ask for stories and make up some …
Mama, You Are Fat: A Mother’s Moment of Truth
“Mama,” he said in a hushed tone, his big brown eyes full of regret, unable to meet mine, “I need to tell you something. I had a bad thought about you and I need to tell you.” “What baby?” “I …
Driving into Hope
We are a few weeks into school, and this morning I drove the boys to kindergarten and fourth grade. (It’s not my week to drive the middle school girls, so I get the quiet ride.) I dropped them off and went about …
The Day I Got Schooled by Maya
I met Maya Angelou in New York at an event for the last book she wrote, Mom and Me and Mom, in 2012. I waited for about an hour in line to meet her and as I was waiting, I was …
Widen Your Circle of Acceptance and Compassion
One of the best and worst days of my life is the day I resuscitated my son, Holden, from a near-drowning incident. Amelie, Holden, and I had met up with four moms and their children at a neighborhood pool. Once …
The House With the Orange Trim
Every week I drive by a line of the most beautiful, eclectic houses. There is one that stands out amongst the others reminiscent of 1970’s Southern California; the exterior walls are painted a salmon color with orange trim, and there …
Together We Are Motherhood: Meeting the Birthmother
Just be yourself. It was advice from many friends and family as we pulled up to the small brick house in Maryland. I wore a black and white striped dress and leggings, both worn from many washings, deciding to wear something …