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A Little Bird

We spent this past weekend at Jackson Meadows reservoir where our family has a cabin. For forty-five years we have come to this mountain lake to celebrate the 4th of July. No fireworks. But lots of freedom. To roam the deep woods. To swim the cold lake. To bask in the sunny meadow. And to bird watch. Not that I bird watch much. Mostly, I boy watch. Dirty, cabin kids in muddy water shoes dashing down to the lake to hunt for snakes and crawfish. The latter we cook on our camp stove along with rainbow trout. I enjoy the […]

By Paula July 11, 2013

Safe Harbor

Some thoughtful friends sent Scott and me to the coast a few days ago as a gift for hosting their wedding. Our hotel room overlooked the harbor. As darkness approached, I began to feel fearful. Not sure why the anxiety, but I put my head to the pillow praying for God’s protection and peace. During the night, I awoke. When I sat up in bed, the harbor was full of lights. Boats had come into the bay. In my half-asleep state, staring at the lights, I swear I heard God say, “I am your safe harbor.” The words so comforted […]

By Paula July 4, 2013

LOVE IS A GIFT

This past weekend my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After spending forty-five years experiencing their marriage, and twenty-four years of my own wedded bliss, I’ve come to the conclusion that love is a gift. Not a choice. Not a chemical reaction. And certainly not the natural result of sticking two people in bed together for LIFE. In Christian circles, I keep hearing love is a choice. I just don’t agree. Staying together is a choice. Staying in love is a gift. And the giver of all good gifts is God, states James 1:17. It is God who gives love, […]

By Paula June 26, 2013

When You Really Need A Miracle

Buck and Cruz I’d just walked in the door with a bag of groceries in my arms. Seeing Scott, I could tell he had bad news. The look on his face made me want to sit down before he spoke. “I ran over Buck,” he said, and my knees about buckled. “I didn’t kill him, but I don’t know how bad he’s hurt.” Buck is our amazing English lab. Big and white and sweet as a teddy bear, in the year we’ve had him, he’s stolen our hearts. The previous summer, he replaced May, the tiny rat terrier Scott […]

By Paula June 21, 2013

Daddy

Daddy, my brother Patrick, and me on our ponies. When I was little, he was big, bigger than life. Nobody compared to my daddy. His hair was thick and dark. His eyes sky blue. His laugh was unforgettable. He taught me how to make potato soup and shotgun shells. During hunting season, he disappeared, off to the duck blinds or up to the mountains after big bucks. One night in the middle of a lightening storm we crawled around our green shag 1970’s carpet together unplugging lamps and the television and anything else connected to the wall. Thunder shook the […]

By Paula June 13, 2013

Can I Have A Happy Meal?

. G2, the happy boy who likes happy meals and holds puppies hostage. On the last day of school, our fifteen-year-old son Luke asked his dad if he could hang out with friends. Scott said, “Okay” and dropped Luke and some boys off at the local pizza parlor. Several hours later, Luke called to say, “I’m at Trent’s house. Can I go to a movie tonight?” “How did you get to Trent’s house?” Scott asked. “Was your ride legal?” “No,” Luke admitted. “You’re not going to a movie. I’m coming to get you.” Eager to pick up Luke, Scott […]

By Paula June 5, 2013

Green Pastures and Puppies

When I was a little red-haired girl, I loved puppies. Living in the country, far from town and friends, puppies entertained me. Educated me. Enriched my existence. Growing up with dogs was like growing up with money. It made you a certain kind of person. By the time I was ten years old, I judged others by whether or not they kept a dog. Not owning man’s best friend was like not owning a bathtub. I stayed away from those kind of people. But I did accept one friend who didn’t have a dog because she desperately wanted one. Her […]

By Paula May 29, 2013