The first time I walked through that very ordinary doorway, I entered a portal into a different world. It was an unexpected discovery, a world of beauty and grace. Girls lined up against the wall like dominos in a row, one behind the other. Alone, each was not so different than me. Wispy girls with…
This fall marks my 22nd year of parental participation in the great American tradition we call “back-to-school shopping.” Twenty-two years of buying mustard-orange pencils, blue-lined paper and slick 3-ringed notebooks. Twenty-two years of assessing and filling in wardrobe gaps – most likely to include new tennis shoes and a larger version of last year’s jeans. Twenty-two years…
It’s been a rich few weeks. An encouraging, exhausting, and inspiring few weeks. On June 20th, I had the great privilege of enjoying the intersection of two families I love: the Story Warren community and our Charlotte community. The weeks leading up to Inkwell were exciting and hectic (Did we really sign up to do…
Editor’s Note: In the aftermath of our family conference, Inkwell, we have some new folks here at our site. I thought it would be a good idea to share Julie Silander’s post on a subject so many of us as parents find challenging. If you have no worries in this area, then great. But many…
It’s a strange phenomenon – to have a child who bears your resemblance. My son looks just like his dad. He carries the same posture and walks with the same cadence. Their childhood photographs are virtually indistinguishable. The origin of my daughter’s knack for messiness and love of all things creative and comfortable isn’t a mystery….
I shuffled through the pile of mail – the usual biodegradable white noise – that was to be skimmed and then promptly discarded. I paused. An unexpected, tiny piece of artwork was tucked in amongst the bills and advertisements. Elegant swirls applied by pen, not laser jet, adorned a simple beige envelope. A ragged-edged picture…
It’s been an exciting month for the Story Warren community. Our first publication, The Green Ember by S.D. Smith, has been successfully launched and is now in full orbit. (If you don’t have it yet, you can order it here.) When the first copy arrives at your home, you’ll be holding a small piece of…
She took her place behind the podium, glanced down at the sheet of neatly typed notes, then lifted bright eyes to scan a sea of eager faces. Her gracious smile hinted at a tender heart. She began to speak. Although a generation younger than much of the audience, her words were girded with wisdom and…
This June, I committed to walking a three-mile route through our neighborhood every day during the summer. Each excursion instills an increased level of familiarity with my community, and I’ve come to anticipate specific scenes and characters that I’ll meet along the way. The yappy terrier (which I now know is corralled by an invisible fence), the…
My youngest came into the world dancing, twirling, and humming a cheerful tune. The baby of five, she plays her role in the family flawlessly. From the moment we brought her home, we not only loved her, but we loved all that came with her – reams of pink, hair bows, bloomers, baby dolls, and ballet dresses. As a…
Almost a decade ago, I attended a conference and book fair with a friend. We stumbled upon a booth that held thousands of beautiful old books. Many were vintage and out of print. All were for sale. Hearts beat faster as we feverishly plundered the shelves in search of hidden treasures waiting to be claimed. From…
April is National Poetry Month. As you’re filling Easter baskets and packing for picnics, consider adding a book of poetry to the festivities. Poetry is good for the soul. It’s good for the family. It’s also good for the brain. There is perhaps no greater tool than memorization to seal language patterns into a human…
