Category Archives: Uncategorized

“Mommy, you my friend. You my favorite girl. You my person.” My grandson Owen spoke those words to his mother, recently. Of course, Cassie, my daughter, treasured Owen’s expression of love for her, as any loving mother would. But, with Owen, hearing him express himself is especially treasured by Cassie. Owen is autistic. I willContinue reading “A voice I love to Hear”

This week’s launch of the Artemis I flight, which is a step toward putting astronauts back on the moon in a few years, brought back memories of the night I watched non-stop television coverage of astronauts landing on the moon on July 20, 1969. I was two days away from turning 15 and approaching tenthContinue reading “I’m thinking about flying to the moon”

Note: I presented these brief remarks on November 1, 2022, at the inaugural Sam Gladding Wake Author Series at Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University. The speaker was Margaret (Peggy) Supplee Smith, author of Great Houses and their Stories: Winston-Salem’s Era of Success, 1912-1940. As a friend of Sam and Claire Gladding, IContinue reading “A little More About Sam”

As I look at First Day of School photos being posted on Facebook, I am thinking back to when Sister Immaculata welcomed me to my First Day of School, ever. Sixty-two years ago! I remember wanting to go to school long before I finally walked through the door of Sacred Heart Academy in Texarkana, Texas,Continue reading “Looking Back at My First Day”

Fifty years ago, I was a new high school graduate planning to enter college for the fall semester. That summer, I had no idea what I was doing and what was ahead. Looking back, that was a good thing.  Much of my family life was collapsing, but I believed all would be fine. I haveContinue reading “My Summer of ’72”

A year ago on July 4, 2021, my nephew Trey Northcott passed away suddenly in Oregon, away from family and friends. My sister Susan had been searching for him back in Nacogdoches, Texas, not realizing he had wandered away to a strange place where no one expected he might go. First responders–paramedics and others–did theirContinue reading “Celebrating the life of Trey”

Recently, I stopped alongside a two-lane road on my bicycle to answer a phone call. Within a couple of minutes, a woman drove her car onto the lawn of the home where I had stopped to check on me. And, yes, I was startled to see her drive up beside me on a stranger’s lawn.Continue reading “Riding around in my community”

I met a strong man, recently. Eric. He is 31. If you saw him walk near you, assisted by his loving mother, that may be the last impression that would come to mind. Eric uses the sort of cane with three little “legs” at the end to help stabilize him as he walks very slowlyContinue reading “I Met a Strong Man”

I do not know exactly how everyone feels when they lose someone to gun violence. I need to say that at the start. I do know that it is all horrible and so painful that a surviving loved one can barely take it, at times.  Here is how I felt. In truth, I am feelingContinue reading “Milton’s Murder: How I Feel”

When I wrapped up 10th Grade, I decided not to work in my stepfather’s automobile paint and body shop. Instead, I drew on my Grandpa’s connections to land a job working at a little convenience store. It sounded like a good job.  I would not be around a parent all day, I would be in an air-conditionedContinue reading “Get a Haircut or Don’t Come Back”