Grandfamilies: Want Warmer Relationships? Stop Doing These Six Things

Don’t Go Off Mad. When you are nurturing relationships with adult children (yours, steps, in-laws, or exes), grandchildren, and all the other characters who play a role on your family’s stage, it’s a good idea to think about your habits. A thoughtful review may reveal a few statements better left unsaid, actions better left undone. […]


When We Went Down to the River to Pray

[From the archives. I’m on my way back to the river today.] And Talk. And Sing. And Eat. And Rest. Sunday night, late, my dear husband picked me up at LAX. He even parked the car and came inside to meet me at the baggage claim, which I  claim as a love offering. So how was […]


Just the Normal Noises

Stupid Phones. We’re Holdouts.  What Counts as Quiet? I paused in the parking lot of the suburban hotel and listened. I heard, and felt, music hurtling from a car on the street, subwoofer driving the bass beat into my bones. Somewhere on the sidewalk a woman laughed. The “Walk” signal at the intersection chirped out […]


Just the Normal Noises

Stupid Phones. We’re Holdouts.  What Counts as Quiet? I paused in the parking lot of the suburban hotel and listened. I heard, and felt, music hurtling from a car on the street, subwoofer driving the bass beat into my bones. Somewhere on the sidewalk a woman laughed. The “Walk” signal at the intersection chirped out […]


His Father’s Voice

Rob, Sawyer, and Cadence model their new hats. Christmas Day, 2010 Tuning In New Years’ Day brought my daughter, Elaine, her husband, Rob, and our newest grandson, Sawyer, for an afternoon visit. At seven weeks of age, Sawyer has new tricks to show off each time we see him. As I sat on the sofa, […]