Soul Carving

       I've been uploading old photos, trying to get everything in one spot. We've been using some form of digital camera for 10 years now, so it's been quite the walk down memory lane. The first snapshots were taken back when we only had two kids - two kids!! Oh, the ease of those days. I have now become that middle-aged mother whom 12-year-old Bethany used to babysit for. The one whose framed wedding pictures I would examine with a gasp, marveling at how different the couple now looked! Now, 34-year-old Bethany is examining photos of her family from 10 years ago, and I've recognized something that needs to change.         I'm pouring over baby photos of my now 11-year old, and clutching my heart at how agonizingly adorable he and his big sister were back then. I'm awestruck at how quickly they have grown and at the thousands of changes we've all experienced in a 10 year period. I look at pictures of a younger and, sometimes dishev...

The Problem We All Live With - painting by Norman Rockwell, 1964        Sitting in the half-light of the college classroom with 2 of my daughters, listening to Ms. Bridges' strong, soothing voice, I was thankful indeed that I hadn't given up. All the waiting and fretting had been worth it.        Weeks before, I had read about the opening night of the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the University's Museum of Art; how Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges would be speaking, how the lecture was free and open to the public, but seating was limited. What a privilege, I had thought. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for my children. I decided to bring my oldest.        But then, of course, the challenges began to surface. Richard would be out of town that evening on a business trip, so I'd have to arrange for a sitter for the younger kiddos. Then there was a meeting - no, now two meetings I was expected to attend, schedu...

     We'd had a rough morning. I was regretting our decision of the previous evening to allow the two oldest children to stay up late watching a holiday movie. Our hopes of getting to church on time were deteriorating fast in the face of mounting hysteria. Welcome, welcome, Sabbath morning.      Miraculously, my patience remained intact. Everyone else went ahead while I stayed with the straggler. But even though we were running late, I had to dodge back inside for the camera when I saw what the Winter Fairies had been up to during the night. A wonderland of breathtakingly intricate beauty lay spread out before us.  Remember the heavenly love-note I found at the park? Here's another one! Amazing how something so icy cold can warm your heart.           Whether it's the uncommonly cold winter temperatures that are sweeping the nation, or a personal gloomy chill that's se...