Category: My Evolution

  •   I played my drums today. That makes two days in a row after several weeks of merely dusting them. A friend shared with me some basic beats he learned in his drum class and I've been wanting to practice them for days, but just had too many important things I needed to do.  Playing…

  • Last week I helped celebrate my cousin Ronnie's life.  Looking through the photos afterward, Claire Bidwell Smith's words kept coming back to me… "Even in the midst of all this pain and sadness I see something beautiful."   I snapped this one of Ronnie's sister Cindy surrounded by her daughters, grandkids, and great-granddaughter because of the…

  •     It's somehow fitting that I've been reading Claire Bidwell Smith's The Rules of Inheritance for the past few weeks. Last night I dove into the final chapters, my mind still swirling with sorrow and joy that lingered from a quick trip to Houston for my cousin's funeral. Sorrow for friends and family wrapped tight in…

  • Today I'm driving to Houston. My cousin died a few days ago and I want to be there for his funeral tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Ronnie was only 64. Not old, but not young, either. I guess "just enough time", as the Band Perry sings… but I can't imagine ever thinking I've had enough time. I'd…

  •   This tiny naked baby, arms opened wide for a hug, sits on my kitchen window sill, a sweet reminder that just two weeks ago my kitchen was overflowing in love and friendship and hugs from women who have known me almost forever.       The baby came hidden in an authentic King Cake,…

  • "The privilege of a lifetime is to be yourself."  ~ Joseph Campbell   A big pot of chicken soup is simmering on the stove. From where I sit across the room I can hear the little bubbles playing on the surface and the aroma is making my stomach growl. I made it for myself, because…

  • I'm in a calm spot between a busy week and a busier weekend. We've been blessed with spring-like weather, lately, and I admit I'm ready for it to just stick around. Wildflowers haven't yet ventured our way, but we're being serenaded by birds and frogs and a running creek. Storm clouds and sunshine are taking…

  •     A friend's husband, my own former co-worker and friend, died earlier this week. Just in the past month or so another friend lost his mother, a classmate's husband succumbed to cancer, and I learned of the death of another friend (along with my good intentions to see her again here on earth.)  …

  • Those things, good Lord, that we pray for, give us the grace to labor for. ~St. Thomas More   It's inside of me. I can feel it pushing, trying to stretch and uncurl its petals, this flower of mine. This flower of Me. Some days it's stronger than others and I feel it's almost there,…

  • A collection of colorful bags and pieces of luggage grows beside me. Today's the day I take TG back to campus to start the spring semester. Wasn't it just a few days ago that we carried all of those bags down from the car? Christmas break went by so fast. At the beginning of it…