Japan Still Stands
On August 30, 2025 by Elle R.Today all my pent up anger, sorrow and stress made their appearance known in bodily form. I woke up with a brain splitting headache that turned me into a vomit comet before I could even set foot in the shower. I have a decades long history with migraines, the kind that leaves me writhing in
Binge the Cringe
On August 29, 2025 by Elle R.My daughter Jordan introduced me to a “cringy” t.v. series on a streaming network. It’s an angsty coming of age drama, where a teen girl is torn between two handsome brothers. The genetically blessed brothers have muscles, magnetism and trust funds. It’s endless summer at their tony Massachusetts set beach house. The backyard swimming pool
Rental Reflections
On July 19, 2025 by Elle R.Recently my 17 year old son Beck had to have his car repaired and his insurance policy covered a rental car. However, because he’s six months shy of legal adulthood, I was the only one allowed to drive it. Beck had to make due with driving my minivan. Or as his dad used to call
Graduation Conversation
On July 6, 2025 by Elle R.At my high school graduation, there were the usual guest speakers who blabbed incessantly about reaching our potential, chasing our dreams, and other well meaning inspirational drivel. I couldn’t tell you who the valedictorian was. None of the speeches were memorable to me. I do remember the overnight party held afterwards, where the entire graduating class
Hugs and Kisses
On June 27, 2025 by Elle R.Real estate is all about location, location, location. I wouldn’t choose any other place to live because I really like living next to my granddaughter, Lyra. When my husband was alive, he relished his role as her Grandpa and would often take her with him when he needed to run errands. Sometimes he would create
Irish Magic
On June 4, 2025 by Elle R.I try to be open about my struggles, both in my life and my faith, so that others will understand that loving Jesus isn’t a force field that protects me from all of life’s hurts and sorrows. Having Jesus as my Savior is a deep abiding knowledge that He loves me deeply in return, and
My Lord, My Love and Lazarus
On April 20, 2025 by Elle R.During a pre fight interview heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson remarked, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” In January my husband died without warning and I felt that quote in a visceral way. All my plans for ‘us’ blew away like dry leaves in the wind. In one heartbeat, I went
J.O.Y. to the World
On December 23, 2024 by Elle R.Yesterday brought me a day that wasn’t filled with appointments or caregiving to little ones. I delighted in making a family Christmas bread recipe. While the dough was rising, I began to feel a little lost, with all this time to use. What should/ could/ would I do with all these hours? I began to
That Other Christmas Story
On December 14, 2024 by Elle R.The rhyming Russian proverb, doveryay, no proveryay, translates to “trust, but verify.” I should have embraced this proverb years ago because I assumed my children knew the story of the first Christmas. I learned yesterday I was wrong. They were short a few crucial details. Actual conversation with my 11 year old daughter. Me: “Tell
Royal Rivalry
On December 9, 2024 by Elle R.Do you ever feel like you’re putting Christmas on autopilot? Instead of rejoicing at the arrival of the Savior of the world, you are just going through the motions out of habit? Watching the same formulaic Christmas sweater wearing couple movies, baking the same sugary treats, whittling down an endless shopping list with a finite