Much of my life is associated with music. Certain songs begin to play and the melody and lyrics seem to bend time and transport me to another location in life. The wafting phrases evoke emotions that do not belong to the present but, most commonly, to the past. When I was a kid, I enjoyed many musical acts. One of those was The Carpenters—yes, I know, kind of sappy and melancholy. Just listen to “Top of the World” and you’ve got to ask yourself who would ever write this stuff

“I wish you would just die!” Six words. I wish so many things. I wish that I were a voracious reader like my parents, my sister, husband and children. But I am a visual learner, and audio books are my go-to whenever possible. I love to hear an author read his or her written words. I think that may be why deep songs speak to me as I listen. I love a writer who puts into music the lyrics of life. So why would one of our five children shout out these words and assault my ears wi

Growing up, I was often the sick one in our family. I seemed to have the ear infection and strep throat demon. I guess now it might have been allergies that were not diagnosed, but I was just sick a lot. I believe I was in middle school when my throat and ear infection got so bad that I was admitted into the hospital for the weekend. I remember my ears ached terribly. I was afraid to tell my parents because I didn’t want to be a bother. Once I was admitted, I was given daily

I should have known. I should have known by watching my children, over the years, interact with and love their special needs brother, Robert, that each of them would grow up to be a compassionate, generous, and loving adult. In my heart, I guess I always knew this, but it has been incredible to watch it play out. Throughout this blog, I will be sharing all my children’s stories, but today I’m focusing on my second daughter, Eliotte. Why? Because I believe her love and care fo