I carved out the special rose that Sarah had requested and laid it on the coffin....later, her husband took the rose out of the casket and has it by her picture in the living room.

Why pay to play when you can do it free? This isn't just playing. My Gym (and programs like it) builds confidence, encourages exploration, teaches social skills, coordination, physical strength and agility. It's an investment in your child you can't afford to miss.

I looked to women from the past to mentor me. I studied about our Biblical sisters. I discovered an amazing truth: Women haven’t changed much in 6,000 + years! To my surprise and delight, my own issues of perfection, jealousy, control, unforgiveness, secrets, and victimization….were a common thread woven though out the ages in women. --To help women and children in crisis while sharing God’s love in everything I do. I would become a servant, a teacher, and friend.

What I did say [to my child], (after saying a silent prayer,) was this: “No, I don’t love some of your decisions, but I love you. And I know that you have not “turned out” you are “turning out”. God is far from done with you. You are smart, and funny and amazing, but you are far, far from “done”.”

Thank you, moms who are artfully using your swords (of truth). For you who aren’t, consider this your invitation to pick it back up, or lift it for the first time. It will be a weighty weapon you’ll never want to lay back down.

Think about it, we can choose to grumble and complain and play the victim, or we can choose to find the possibilities.