This month’s tenet is one that every individual can relate to in her own way: “We greatly value the contributing role of families.” Although each family is unique in its situation and trials, we all strive for loving and impactful connections. Like most young mothers, I was overwhelmed when I welcomed my first child. How…
Have you ever been the recipient of an inheritance after a loved one has passed away? If we really think about it, every one of us can answer yes. Obviously I’m not speaking only of monetary inheritance. How about personality traits or traditions? What of cultural inheritance or physical attributes? All of that plays into…
It’s a common adage that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. While the whole of the family indeed makes a great contribution to human lives, the different parts also make their own unique and valuable contributions across the lifespan. Children have an influence on parents and parents have an influence on…
I love to sing. I love music. I love families. As I pondered this month’s tenet of valuing families, a memorable song from the era when we were raising our children popped into my head on instant replay: What Does it Take to Make a Family? Each verse describes attributes of families and concludes with…
One of the great joys of motherhood is watching these tiny humans you helped to come into the world learn and grow and explore and develop their interests, hobbies, and talents. Something that has been a great love for my sons is Lego building blocks. When they were small, they played with Lego Quatro and…
Donning an apron and hosting a dinner for family and friends is no easy event. It takes careful and timely planning so that each dish is ready on time – warm and inviting to each person waiting. On one such occasion, I had just put the finishing touches on the meal. As I stood stirring…
My daughter’s first birthday is approaching and as every mother may know, this is cause for natural reflection. And oh, how I have been reflecting on my beautiful baby girl. The plot of earth that is now my garden was once a travesty, the product of years of distraction, disinterest, and neglect. The previous home…
A house with children is never quiet, I think. Even in brief moments of stillness, of sleep, the momentary lull when busy bodies and mouths are kept quiet by the tasks of mealtimes or bedtimes, when the only sounds are the quiet rasp of lungs taking air in and then letting it out, forks scraping…
We can learn a lot about families by observing how one car owner has learned to care for his car and what he learned from his father about caring for a family. Our car owner is named Ben. Ben knew the importance of a finely tuned car. His father, a master mechanic, had taught him…