Beth

Moving Day

Today is a right of passage, as much for the parents as the child. Beth is moving out today. I drove down from Gainesville last night and we’re moving Beth’s stuff out of the home we made at Christy and Mike’s big house in Orlando (my sister and brother-in-law), across town to her dorm on campus at UCF. Jesus, is it THAT day already? I have a number of colorful metaphors swirling…
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Beth

Beth Grows Up

The site lost something when the kids got older. When kids get into trouble as an infant, it’s much more amusing than when they’re a teen. Plus, somewhere in between they learn how to read, become aware of the world around them, and don’t find it amusing when they lose control of their own narrative. I’m making an exception with this post because it’s really about me…
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Wellbeing

I don't understand

When my mouth is in sync with my mind, I try not to overuse the word “understand” when it comes to life experiences. It suggests a depth of shared knowledge I think is much rarer than use of the word. I hope this gives you some sense of what I mean when I say… I don’t completely understand the level of intolerance shown by many people on the basis of race, gender, religion, or just about…
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Beth

When questions get harder

Beth wanted advice on a homework assignment for a writing class she’s taking at college this semester. Her professor wants the class to come up with two topics for a possible upcoming assignment: write a persuasive essay taking a side of an issue relevant today. I thought to myself, “yeah sure, possible. Like it’s possible I might take another breath before the end of the…
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Family and FriendsTravelWellbeing

Worth it

Parenting is hard. For some, this is obvious. For others suffering denial, this is a sign of a severe character flaw. For a blessed few who’s beatification awaits them at their death, who’s names will be remembered in song and psalm for all time, this is an inconceivable truth. God did us this one favor – he made these people rare. This is not to say parenting is without its…
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Family and Friends

Joy sink

“Grandma’s coming home tomorrow right? I can’t wait!” That was Beth Wednesday night, talking to me and our pastor on the first night of confirmation class this (school) year. “So when will she be coming HOME home?” That was when Beth realized home can be a relative term. “Oh,” she replied, crestfallen. That was when I told her the truth, unvarnished…
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Family and Friends

Unheralded classics

Among the likes of the wheel, the steam engine, integrated circuits, the moon landings, and the polyester cotton blend, one of humanity’s greatest (if overlooked) achievements is the Koosh Woosh. In the late 1980s, a small toy company made a bundle selling funny little balls made of strands of rubber. Maybe you never had one. Maybe your parents didn’t love you. We had several &#8211…
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Family and Friends

Back to me

“Back to you? I wasn’t aware you ever left the subject?” There are people in my life, people I love dearly, who’ve been dealing with issues that don’t revolve around me, and it felt wrong to hold the usual self-hate-fest during their time of loss and sorrow. So I’ve been holding out on the rest of you. I’ve been tinkering with a post on depression &#8211…
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