The lamp on the small table next to my side of the bed was the only light in the room.  A warm yellow glow.  I was reading as I settled in for the night and Drew was already half asleep next to me. Abbey stopped in to say goodnight and to drop off her phone […]

Read More Listen to the Children

I’ll be rooting for the Eagles on Super Bowl Sunday. Living near Philly for 17 years and being married to and the mother of some big time Eagles fans leaves me no other choice. They’re happy, I’m happy.  I also love all my friends who are die-hard Eagles fans, some fine, fine people.  And just […]

Read More My Eagles Fans

It’s 6am Saturday morning and Drew is next to me hiding his phone under the covers as he catches up on the latest headlines. While he’s trying block the blue light from my face, his special alarm clock has gone off that lights up the room with some natural “sun is gently coming” up glow. […]

Read More Single Digits

Get it out, get it out, get it out… I’m repeating it to myself as I drop off the kids, wander through Target, and put away my groceries at home. Today I’m holding the pain of the world. The pain of my son, the pain of a nightmare, the pain of living with such blatant […]

Read More Being Human

The wind picks up again and grabs all the dead leaves off of our lawn. I cheer as they fly directly into our neighbors yard; sweet relief and good-bye to all that work. Moments later the wind laughs at me as it changes direction and brings them back, two-fold, securing them all in our bushes. […]

Read More Late Fall in Chicago

    The two ladies standing beside me were as frustrated as I was. We had descended into the dark T station, waiting for the next train – way too long ago now. The trains kept coming and the crowds surrounding us kept pushing in. We had no way of making our way into any […]

Read More Making Room- On the T, In our World.

  The kids are already heads down and eyes glazed over as they stare mindlessly at their electronic devices. The car is quiet as we begin the 5 hour journey back to Chicago. Another family visit for the holidays becomes a memory. For once, I’m not behind the wheel. Sitting in the passenger seat I […]

Read More There’s No Place Like Home

Remember when I wrote this? I meant it. I meant every word. But over our holiday break we had some good family time and great conversation. Yesterday I was bragging to my sister how awesome Abbey’s teachers at OPRF – her high school- were. So many good ones, but I really appreciate her math teacher. […]

Read More My Thanksgiving Turkey- Where Thanks is Due ,Part 2!

Will’s Thanksgiving project from last year is still sitting on my desk. It’s a rather large cardboard turkey with big tail feathers that have drawing and messy handwriting all over them, describing what he is thankful for. He’s included The Best Teacher Ever, My Family, The Army, My Math Teacher and Schools. It’s all very […]

Read More My Thanksgiving Turkey

Last Sunday night, Johnathan and I talked about growing up in an interracial family in Mississippi, going to high school in Lancaster County,  his experience at the University of Virginia and how we as white people need to be an active part of the work for racial justice.  I wanted him to be really honest […]

Read More Let’s Talk About Race- My Conversation With Johnathan Perkins