EVERY MOMent COUNTS!
I love to tease my mother-in-law Darlyne because the first time my husband John saw me we were at church. I was the 16-year-old cutie sitting in the back row. He was the 20-year-old Marine who was on leave for the weekend and was visiting is family. (John’s father was the pastor.) After church, when [...]
You would think after 26 years as a step mother there wouldn’t be anything new to learn. Wrong. It all began when we decided to update our last will and testament. Our new attorney did a magnificent job of helping us navigate the major decisions. Steve has 2 grown sons, 2 daughters-in-law and 2 grandchildren. [...]
“My step daughter and I have had a great relationship for over 12 years,” the woman shared. “She is planning her wedding, and I assumed I would be included. But all of a sudden she treats me like I don’t exist. I don’t understand. What happened?” Although this step mother was surprised by her step [...]
My toes are hurting something fierce! I just read in Annie Chapman’s book “The Mother-in-Law Dance” the dilemma that some daughters-in-law have about what to call their “in-laws.” Should it be “Mom,” “Dad,” their legal name, something else? The “what name” question can become a challenge in an honest desire to cultivate an enjoyable relationship [...]
Recently, I read an intriguing book, “Tombstones and Banana Trees” by Medad Birungi. The premise of the book resides in the author’s journey of forgiveness within his family. A good yet tough read as you visualize the insanity of how broken people inflict harm on relationships. The chaos marked the young boy. The family list [...]
This past week my eighty two year old father underwent back surgery. Anytime an anesthesiologist puts you under and you have surgery is a good time to pray, but definitely if you are eighty two. Early morning in pre-op my mother, brother, and I stood beside Dad’s gurney and prayed. We boldly approached the throne [...]
You’re into preparation mode-shopping, cooking, invitations, fundraisers, junk mail, Christmas cards, special parties. And this is above and beyond the regular stuff on your plate- sports teams, concerts, work deadlines, homework help and then there’s the unexpected- a child’s broken leg, another ear infection, a friend in crisis. But for many there’s another source of [...]
A great mother-in-law?? Okay, most days, I’d settle for just being a good one or even simply not messing up a relationship too badly. I’ve been a mother-in-law for 17 years now. We have five kids — three daughters and two sons. All of them are married, so I have both sons- and daughters-in-law. And the things [...]
“Soul Surfer” Bethany Hamilton talks about how she stays close to her mom, Cherilyn Hamilton. Bethany talks about all the fun activities she and her mom did and still do together. What things can you do with your children?
How do you connect with your mom once you’re all grown up with a busy family of your own? (I’m still waiting to feel grown up, and I’m 35.) Until just recently, I’ve always lived less than 30 miles away from my mom. She’s always been there for me when I needed her. This past [...]
