Surviving a Hurricane
This summer, we finally joined part of my husband’s family on a vacation to Maui! Traveling together, aside from visiting parents and grandparents, has been a rare treat since our return Stateside, four years ago. We enjoyed the ocean, the beautiful scenery, and the perfect climate. … well, almost...
Waves of Grief
In recent weeks, I once again find myself in a place of grieving. Old losses surge like tidal waves leaving sadness, anger, emptiness, and anxiety behind. The cleanup continues with each aftershock. Eventually, maybe the waves become smaller and further apart, but not necessarily more manageable. For me, the...
Cruising Back to Reality
Last week, I went on my first cruise, without my family. After more than a year of transitions, after more than seven years of doing almost everything for and with my children, after almost nine years without a “personal vacation” – I took a REAL vacation. About a year...
Lessons from The Muppet Movie
Being a child of the Eighties, I grew up with Sesame Street (I believe older episodes were better). Jim Henson’s Muppets made the show, in my opinion. Kermit the Frog was among my favorite characters. The Muppet Movie (the original) remains my favorite of all Muppet movies. I’m surprised...
The Glue of Anniversaries
On this day, eight years ago, I woke to Peter’s phone call saying he had been bumped from his flight (the Army wouldn’t let him off early the day before to get to his own wedding). He made it, just in time – though I guess we would have...
The Music of My Heart
If my voice could hold out, I would sing all day every day. I have enjoyed the singing part of church service as far back as I can remember. I can close my eyes and see my child self – singing all the words to all the hymns loudly...
In Memory of Grandma
“Grandparents are both our past and our future. In some ways, they are what has gone before, and in others, they are what we will become.” ~Mr. Rogers When I was five years old, my father preached a sermon in which he talked about his mother dying. Well, this...
A Rehl Love story
They met at Oklahoma Christian College, an English/education major and an athlete. She worked a desk job and he saw her through the window. He thought, “She is beautiful!” and arranged for his brother and sister-in-law to introduce them. After a whirlwind romance, they married on December 18, 1976....