I have cancer. These are the words that no one expects to say, well, until they have to. Those flashes in my peripheral vision had once again begun their light show. I was just six days into recovery after a hysterectomy. It wasn’t the best of times. I’d been having flashes for months, but thought the … Continue reading Love It Away
Author: hallgrabs
Still Waters
On the first day of my first big-girl job, Nurse Susie, who would later become my mother-in-law, sat down on my empty desk. She adjusted her stethoscope, propped her feet up on the back of an adjacent chair, crossed her arms and asked, “Are you single?” My reply would eventually chart the course for my dinner … Continue reading Still Waters
The Deep
When I was a little girl I loved taking a deep breath and swimming my way down to the bottom of our pool, especially on a sunny day. The sun’s rainbow rays would dance as they pierced the depths of the water to touch my face eight feet below. Below the water I could actually … Continue reading The Deep
Namesakes
If my grandmother had had her way, my name would have been Allison Beth. Allison is still a question mark to me, but Beth was most certainly a way to carry on her legacy long after Elsie Elizabeth was gone. Yet when it came time to name their daughter, my mom and dad had dreams … Continue reading Namesakes
Red Light
I did the math. Approximately 19.8 years of my life have been spent either pregnant or nursing one of my seven children. I don’t need a Mother of the Year Award to remind me of this incredible feat. I have seven pretty special reminders who make it time best spent. Yet as one might imagine, … Continue reading Red Light
Give Me Away
The number 13 has been among my list of the luckiest numbers. Both my husband, Kip, and I were born on the 13th day of the month, although he entered the world on a Friday, a fact which honestly leads him to feel all the more lucky. Some may disagree. Paraskevidekatriaphobia is indeed the fear of Friday … Continue reading Give Me Away
Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway filled my summer with hours of the finest page turning. The lure to Papa and his stories began a few summers ago when a quite lengthy Hemingway biography found its way into my wheelhouse. There are no small volumes that could fully embrace his life and his legend. My friend, Kate, recalling my … Continue reading Hemingway
Lost & Found
I have lost many things in my life…phone numbers, IDs, keys, earrings, and sunglasses to name just a few. There is a basket in my laundry room solely for the purpose of collecting lost socks. Sadly they pile up on top of the dryer, a basket full of hope and a yearning for purpose to fulfill. … Continue reading Lost & Found
The 48th
Today marks my 48th year. I have loved each and every trip around the sun, but this year just feels a little different. I have felt every bit the 10-year-old as the texts, calls, cards, and hugs started pouring in from far and wide. I am certain that even my dog smiled at me this morning. … Continue reading The 48th
Mustard Seed
I do appreciate new technology. I am Team Macbook in the laptop department, but Team Android when it comes to cell phones. I can order anything, from Christmas gifts to tonight’s dinner, with a few taps of a finger. My Roku streams movies, TV shows, and how-to videos on demand 24/7. I even learned how to … Continue reading Mustard Seed
