It's International Women's Day today. And I would give anything to have the most important woman in my life back. It's also exactly two months since she left us, but the pain is as real and visceral as it was that day. My mom was not and will never be famous. She didn't change the world, open new doors, knock down walls. She was the definition of quiet stability. She was the embodiment of strength. In 1991, with three young children and a traveling husband, and living on the mission field, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. And she prayed, not only for her own healing, but more than that that she would first and foremost bring glory to God, and secondly, that she would be there for her kids. This incredible woman had devoted herself to her God, her husband, and her children, knowing that her purpose was not to make a name for herself, but to live and breathe Jesus regardless of her circumstances. She created a warm and ...
My mom's birthday is coming up. A day that used to inspire joy now comes barreling at me, a reminder that she was too young to go. The idea of milestone birthdays and anniversaries rings more shallow to me now. Don't wait to celebrate. Don't put off a party or a celebration or a vacation together because it's not "a big one". My mom didn't make it to her 60th. This year she would be 63 and I wish I could throw her the biggest damn party she'd ever seen. Or surprise her with tickets to Broadway. Don't push off celebrating. I've been sitting in grief today. I opened the pages of the second volume of Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief, and Hope, a gift from my grandmother. A gift for no occasion. Be like her - buy the gift and send it when you think of someone. Don't wait for a reason or an event. You speak love when you do this. Send the card, text the verse, leave a voicemail. The saved voicemails I have from my mom are...
I am in a horrible dinner rut. When I plan our weekly dinners on Sundays, all my creativity seems to leave my body. It doesn't matter that I have a shelf full of cookbooks, that I am addicted to Pinterest, or that I watch several different Food Network shows. All I can think of are turkey burgers, spaghetti, tacos, stir fry, pancakes. Almost every single week. Even Peyton is eating more interestingly than the rest of us are with her crazy combinations of zucchini and bananas! I think it's to the point where my family might mutiny. So I'm issuing myself a challenge: for the next month, no staples. No spaghetti with marinara. No burgers. No pizza with chicken sausage, bell peppers, and onions. I love to cook, but I'm bored with my cooking. Here's how it will work: each Sunday I will pull 6 recipes out of my recipe box, which is full of recipes I've clipped from places like Everyday Food, Penzey's Spices, and my mom's own...
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