Three granddaughters so far. Being their "Nan" is nothing short of amazing - a high privilege, a cherished role, utter joy. Hazel, the oldest, is curious, kind, and watchful. A helper already. She understands so much these days and has a charming lilt in her voice when she asks, "Why?" She has a confident, gentle... Continue Reading →
Hope: On Ringing the Bell
In the elevator lobby on the fifth floor of Duke University Hospital, someone has painted a bird and part of a poem on the windows. The poem is Emily Dickinson's.“Hope” is the thing with feathers -That perches in the soul -And sings the tune without the words -And never stops - at all In the... Continue Reading →
This Is The Life!
Can you remember the first time you heard (or said) this phrase? I remember a much younger me imitating a scene from a movie - flopping on a poolside chaise lounge in a beautiful backyard, enjoying a fun celebration with loved ones. "Ahhhh. This is the LIFE!" Lately, I've been repeating the phrase with a... Continue Reading →
Meatballs and Jesus. A Faith Story.
I have friends whose faith stories contain dramatic contrasts between before and after deciding to follow Jesus. I'm always inspired and encouraged by their stories. For many years, I believed my story was too boring to inspire. I've also been tempted to believe that my story disqualified me from sharing with people who are not... Continue Reading →
Pandemic Lessons
Now that my vaccination card has both doses recorded, and guidelines suggest it is safer to resume more and more "normal" living, I am enjoying getting re-acquainted with the feelings of freedom once (unknowingly) taken for granted. I believe I'll be mindful of and treasuring these freedoms for the rest of my days. Things like:... Continue Reading →
New Gratitude – Easter, 2020
I've been thinking about The Grinch a lot lately. How he tried to steal Christmas, but couldn't. Seems like there's been a new "Grinch" in town, taking a lot of what we had, (or thought we had). As a civilization, we've lost much. People have lost their lives, or a loved one to COVID-19. To... Continue Reading →
No Pressure: What I want most for my children.
As moms (and dads), don't we all want a "good life" for our kids? I believe most parents have their children's best interests in mind. I also believe that it is easy to get tripped up and focus on achievements that the world tells us will lead to a happy, "successful" life. It can be... Continue Reading →
Older and Wiser – On being happily married.
My wedding album made me cry today. Rob is speaking this weekend on marriage and needed a wedding photo of us. He retrieved the book from the attic and chose this photograph from our engagement shoot. Wow, would you just look at those fresh young faces! And Rob's hair! And my Laura Ashley sweater! (I... Continue Reading →
Hang in There (Another Life Lesson from the Garden)
I'm no farmer. I'm not even smart enough in the area of growing plants to be called a "gardener." The most that can be said about me in this arena is that I have bought plants to put in the ground and have only killed some of them. While parenting feels natural and intuitive to... Continue Reading →
Solid Christmas
I love the holiday season, but now that it is over, I'm thinking about things that last.
Kim Perry Writes 