The Road Is Long With Many A Winding Turn
I recently returned for a 4 day visit with my brother and his family.  I marveled several times while I was there on our evolving relationship.  And I left with a heavy heart even while I looked forward to coming home and seeing my husband.  The most unfortunate part of having an only child is that he will miss out on that shared experience both Tom and I have had.  The shared experience isn’t always pleasant but we both have siblings that we have known our entire lives. I remember idolizing my brother as a child.  He was definitely the

Going Back to Cali Indi(ana)
Thomas and I are leaving tonight to go back to my (sorta) hometown of South Bend, Indiana for 4 fabulous days and 4 fun filled nights.  Although technically we get in at 11 PM tonight so I am not sure whether we can really count tonight.  We are going to be spending time with my brother, sister in law and most importantly my absolutely adorable nephew who I never see enough because I suck and that makes me sad. Thomas adores my nephew.  He believes that one of his purposes in life was to guide and love J.  These days a lot of that seems to be toddler wrestling.  I believe this should be encouraged because I do not take J home with me and I find it funny.  It is the benefit o

Raising a Buddhist in a Baptist World
Thomas was in 2nd grade when he came home one day and announced he was Buddhist.  I, being of unknown religious beliefs, looked at him incredulously.  I always assumed one day he would question the non-religion but faith can be good sort of attitude we had at home, but like most Americans, especially the ones in Memphis, I always assumed it would be Christianity I would be discussing with him.  And the be fair Thomas is also interested in Christianity, but has had some philosophical difference from apparently the time he was 6.  I bought him some books, we started googling and that was where my really big support ended.  That isn’t for the record