My grandmother was an amazing lady. She was always one of my favorite people but as a child, I just thought that’s how all grandmothers were. She was fun, loving, kind, smart and she spoiled me more than I ever deserved. But as I got older, I began to understand that she was far more than I could ever comprehend as a child. The talks that we had when I was young and the games…
Being born and raised in the heart of Ohio by an avid outdoorsman, there is a certain reverence that is held for Southern Ohio. It was, for the most part, unspoiled and as wild and natural a spot as we could find within a few hour drive from the capital city of Columbus. In my father’s eyes, John Denver was just a little too far south when he wrote the song Take Me Home Country…
There are so many intricate details and facets of life that as children, we simply don’t grasp. They’re just part of the tiny little bubble we call our world. It’s not until decades later, that a fleeting glimpse into a childhood memory reveals the deeper meaning. I’m fortunate to have clear and detailed images in my mind of childhood days long gone by. These memories trigger thoughts and “aha” moments each time one surfaces into…
My father was born just a few months after his father was tragically killed in an accident involving a train. In the mid-1920s there were very few options for a single mother of two young boys. After a few difficult years trying to raise the boys on her own, his mother left both boys to be raised by her mother and father. The boys blended in with their younger aunts and uncles who were still…
Even on my darkest days, I strive to remember that there are many people who are in far more difficult situations than I am facing. And I am not referring to people who are thousands of miles away living in foreign countries, these people are right here in my country, my state, and my city. Some could be just down the street or even in the next building, and it is simply the grace of…
When I think back to my childhood, my holiday memories are very vivid. I can close my eyes and the images are so clear that I reach out to touch them. I can feel the warmth from the fireplace. I can smell the faint hint of pine in the air from the Christmas tree and I can hear Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas.” I feel as though I have been transported…
I have always loved being outdoors and experiencing nature. In particular, I have always been mesmerized by large trees. And maybe that is the reason that the term family tree has always held a unique meaning for me. The dictionary defines a family tree as a chart which shows all of the people in a family over the generations and their relationship to one another. And it makes sense when you think about the origin…
I would like to wish all of the readers in the United States a Happy Thanksgiving and all of the readers who are not celebrating the holiday an extra happy Thursday! As the name implies, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for all of the good in your life. This can be good people, good fortune, good health and all of the other blessings that we tend to take for granted in our…
So many thoughts and lessons are swirling around in my head at this moment. But I needed to share an update. Maybe writing this will help me to remember my lessons, understand what I learned, and find acceptance and peace with the day and its events. The post A Day To Give Thanks was the story of last Thanksgiving for my family. It was a celebration of new family, new loved ones and new…
Four tiny words that speak volumes to all those who are willing to listen. Not every epiphany is going to be an eloquent long soliloquy. Some of the most important pieces of advice are in simple little words that even a child can understand. Maybe because children still have an honest and unclutter mind which allows them to read and evaluate on content and not style, word count or the potential for hidden meaning. …