BITTERSWEET- The holidays are almost upon us! For many of us, memories swirl up bittersweet moments as jumbled and numerous as glitter in a snowglobe. You’re thankful for life and yet it hurts if you have lost someone and it will be the first time your loved one isn’t celebrating with you. Tears flow as you realize your son or [...]
Read More bittersweet, encouragement, fallen world, life between the trees, limitations, overcoming, perseverence, perspective, transformation, treasure25 years ago, my little helper, Sarah, (5 at the time) helped me rake for three hours, piling leaves into a huge leaf fort. I was hoping to jump start my labor- since I was 7 days overdue. All I got were blisters and a backache. Out came the heat pad for my back, my feet went up on our ottoman, and we crashed on the couch [...]
Read More birthday, celebrate, children, family, living between the trees, Noah, thankfulness, treasure, treasure tribute“Hi! How are ya?” The loud, booming voice grabbed my attention and everyone else s at the Dillon’s check-out line in the front of the store. absolutely no response from the woman ahead of me Undaunted, he tried again, raising his decibel level for good measure. “Hi! How are ya? “Are ya doin good?” The lady in front of me [...]
Read More Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, encouragement, God's love, labels, limitations, living between the trees, perspective, transformation, treasure hunter
Bethany ran in the house, opened her backpack to pull out a small rectangular card and breathlessly said, “Mom! Mom! Finally! I got it! The school gave it me today!” “What’s this?” I asked taking the card. “Oh, I see, that’s so cool- you’ve got your school ID card. That’s awesome.” “No, Mom! No!” She [...]
Read More Bethany, downs syndrome, glitches, mule moments, patience, perseverence, perspective, stubborndefinition of Revelry: unrestrained merrymaking Shrieks of laughter, giggles, and unrestrained delight danced through open windows to my listening ear. What could possibly be so fun in my front yard? I stepped out to see Finley and Cohen swinging on an old tire swing Micah and Jeff had just put up two days [...]
Read More celebrate, Cohen, family, Finley, Revel, thankfulness, transformation, treasureAutumn’s Glory begs a road trip! Jeff and I plotted a route and planned a previously undiscovered, unexplored destination: Weston, MO. Co-ordinates were plugged into his I-phone for back-up directions. Our main objective for the day: soak up God’s beauty, take lots of pictures, hold hands, and celebrate his 55th birthday by exploring little shops and dining at O’Malleys Irish Pub. Bearing no [...]
Read More birthday, Cindy, detours, encouragement, inspiration, Jeff, living between the trees, perspective, treasure hunterby Guest Author and daughter- Sarah Barclay Gilliland I was hurriedly unloading the dishwasher when the unmistakable release of air from a stressed-out five year old came from the direction of the dining room. Head down, pencil poised, “This is tricky…” she sighs. I walk over to the table and read the title of her [...]
Read More divorce, encouragement, family, Finley, overcoming, perspective, Sarah