My life changed in November 2003. My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. The news was a blow to her and all of us who loved her. She was in shock.  She just shut down. She told me that she wanted me to find an oncologist for her and make her an appointment. So I did what I usually do in an impossible situation. I prayed, Lord, please place someone in my path to show me the next right thing to do. It is such a simple prayer but gets right to the heart of the matter. God, tell me what to do next. Clarity came and I called my neighbor, a neurologist, and asked him to tell me who he thought was the best oncologist in our area. Then I asked another half dozen health professionals who were friends or acquaintances for their thoughts. The same two names kept coming up so I made appointments with each. We went to the first appointment. The doctor talked. I talked. My mother sat quietly. The...

I love watching all of the HGTV shows where they turn trash into treasure. I love all of the decorating blogs. Take a piece of nothing special, paint it with chalk paint, and voila, nothing special has been upcycled or repurposed. A decade or two ago it was called recycled. When I was growing up Mama called it making do with what you’ve got. My mother could do anything. She was a wonderful seamstress. She knew how to upholster furniture, make slipcovers, and curtains. When it came time for proms we didn’t head for the department store like everyone else. We headed to Hancock’s Fabric Store and looked through the pattern books for inspiration. A pattern and some fabric would be purchased for the perfect, one of a kind creation. She made bridesmaid’s dresses for my wedding. She made my sister’s wedding dress. When I was a teenager I came home from school and saw the kitchen table laying...

I would like to put a different spin on the Marriage Challenge that we have all seen on social media in the past week. There will be no photos to tell my story. You should thank me because you can’t un-see some things. I had my back surgery 5 days ago. I promised that I would take a break on the blog until the meds wore off. I think they have for the time being. We have been married for 31 years. This surgery is the fourth surgery that I have had in the past year. This has been a Marriage Challenge for sure. I will not post any pictures of my husband helping me to roll out of bed to help me get to the bathroom all day long for the first couple of days. I will not post pictures of him sleeping in the guest room in the twin beds that are too short for him instead of our nice, comfy queen bed that is too high off of the ground for me to get in. I will not post any pictures of him trying...