In the nine years since Charles died, our family has created some new traditions - like the grands and I spending a couple of Christmas days at Opryland Hotel. We've also kept some old ones like driving around to look at Christmas lights and paying homage to a special Nativity scene in downtown Franklin. Over the years, they've graduated from Santa pajamas and hot chocolated sippy cups to Starbucks and Ug boots, but little else has changed. Except last year, we were taken aba

If you've read "Hey, God? Yes, Charles.", you know that, especially in the first year after Charles's death, hope, joy, and peace were in short supply. In truth, I'm not sure I ever expected real peace again. But in that second year and, in many ways, I began to get my hope legs back under me. Wobbly for sure, and I guess I wasn't hoping for much because joy had to be faked. That reality smacked me in the face the day I met a dear friend from high school for lunch. She'll pr

Two days ago I was sitting in a local emergency room. My elderly (don't tell her I called her that) aunt had been staying with me for a couple of days. She's very independent, but she'd been sick and since a heart condition can complicate other things, we thought it best she and I have a weekend sleepover. Plus, in so doing, her doc thought we had a shot at her heart's desire, which was to stay out of the hospital. But it wasn't meant to be. Infection and edema began a war w

Last night a dear group of friends gathered. If you've read "Hey, God? Yes, Charles.", you know that the SGIGs - the Steel Got It Girls - were one of many folks, instrumental in saving my life (i.e. sanity) after Charles died. Last night was our annual Christmas gathering. We met at Saffire's in Franklin, then enjoyed the Christmas performance at the Jamison Theater next door. But here's the deal. One of our group, who happens to be the youngest, is experiencing serious heal

It was a tiny book, an ornament really, that we hung on the tree especially for our little granddaughter, and low enough for her to see. We just assumed it would remain there among all the other decorations as we celebrated with parents, kids, and our one grand. But on that Christmas Day - how many years ago? 15? - the two-year-old had other ideas. She spotted the red book covers, then located her great-grandmother. Because, you know, a book must be read. As we close in o