For as long as I can remember, Santa Claus has been an active participant in my family’s Christmas tradition. My parents were really big on the magic of the season, and they went to elaborate lengths to make the holiday special for my two sisters and me. This included a personal visit from the big man himself. Each year after the early children’s Christmas Eve … [Read more...]
Praying for a Christmas Miracle
The other day, as the kids and I were driving home from picking up Tom from his after-school club, my youngest said, “Mom, there’s another baby Jesus,” referring to a manger scene on someone’s front lawn. “Oh, that’s great. How many does that make this trip?” “That’s three. Oh, I just saw another one. Four.” “Four, that’s good. I wonder how many more we can find … [Read more...]
The Joy of Christmas and the Three Gift Rule
I remember how much my parents loved Christmas and made sure to make it extra special for my sisters and me. My mother made a gingerbread house each year and painted a holiday scene on the front storm door. My dad dressed up as Santa, and my mother threw pebbles on the roof to sound like reindeer hoofs. These people didn’t fool around. Of course the big event was when my … [Read more...]
When Something Is Wrong With Your Child
I still remember the morning, 14 years ago, when I knew in my soul something wasn’t right with our daughter Lizzy. She was six weeks old and gorgeous. I was enjoying a few lazy moments of cuddling with her in my bed after a feeding. I’m not sure what made me notice it that day, but as I was talking to her, it struck me that she wasn’t looking back at me. That was it, … [Read more...]
I Met a Boy
Ten days past my due date and after a 23-hour labor that ended in an emergency C-section under general anesthesia, I met a boy. Our first meeting wasn’t anything like I had planned. I woke up in the recovery room and saw my husband at the foot of my bed holding a huge bundle of blankets. Joe was all smiles as he brought our new baby close to my face. Since I needed to … [Read more...]
