-
Lonely
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to let you in. Robert Frost My dad, who spent the last 20 years of his working life after he retired from the Air Force as a family therapist, had been sitting in uncommon silence staring into space one evening just before I left…
-
Treasures of Trash
Home is the place where, where you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost I have a new goal! Advancing age has made me realize that it’s time to get rid of my “stuff”, but I haven’t wanted to because–well, advancing age also means I’m tired and sometimes feel crappy. Plus, truthfully,…
-
Amazing Grace
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost Last week Son #1 called me to let me know the LDS Church had just downloaded the first small selection of hymns for its new hymn book whose publication release date is sometime next year. Though he loves…
-
The Organ Concert for One
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost This week I attended an organ concert—I was the lone member of the audience. I’ve had a long history with the organ—none of it involving my own musical aptitude, which is high on the “love” scale, but, sadly,…
-
Decorated with Love
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost Maybe it was my mom’s disposition, or maybe it was circumstance. I don’t know–but she wasn’t much for fancy furniture or decorative displays around the house. Air Force officers like my dad had serious national defense responsibilities, but…
-
The Boundaries Between Us
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost A few weeks ago I got a message from a former student–now a professor at BYU—telling me that he had been chosen for the prestigious Frieda Olga Wunderly Award*, given to faculty members in the College of Humanities…
-
The Safety Net
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost Yesterday I was helping hand out awards for Outstanding Educators in the Jordan School District. Often school administrators will invite extended family members—without the winners’ knowledge–to join the presentation of these awards. In two of the schools, the…
-
Stand up. Stand firm. Stand out.
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost This Sunday during church, I leaned over to my husband and whispered, “That speaker was a student in the first 8th grade English class I ever taught.” “You did good,” he whispered back. “No. She did,” I replied….
-
The Envelope
(This story, though fictionalized, is based on actual events and is used by permission.) Drenched in sweat, Casey sighed when she checked her Apple Watch as she came through the door. It was already 6:13 AM, and she had a long day ahead of her. Shower. Drag Sean out of bed and get him moving…
-
Let the Quirks Shine
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost This Sunday I was in church when Daughter #1, who had been sitting reverently next to me, started to laugh—quietly, of course. “What’s so funny,” I whispered. “The weather report forecasts wintery mix,” she whispered back. “So?” “I’m…
-
Ben and Me
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost Good news: this week I found out I have something in common with Benjamin Franklin. Bad news: it’s GOUT! When the swelling and pain in my right foot came on virtually overnight (I’m guessing my body revolted when…
-
Words and More Words
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost Last Sunday I was sitting in Relief Society (the woman’s organization of the Latter-Day Saint Church) when I noticed something quite profound. The discussion leader began her presentation by saying that she had five quotes from the lesson…
-
A Little Fruit Goes a Long Way
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost Peaches. For the past 10 days, our counters have been loaded with bags and bowls of peaches off the little tree in our backyard. Several years ago my niece gave that young peach tree to Daughter #1 as…
-
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost At two o’clock in the morning last week I woke up gasping for air. My chest seemed to have no inclination for response to my body’s ragged demands for oxygen. I stood staring at the pale face in…
-
Swimming with the Sharks
Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in. Robert Frost When Son #2 was three years old, I signed him and his two older siblings up for swimming lessons at the local recreation center. Since a neighbor had also registered a couple of her kids, we planned to…
