5 Friday Favorites: April 26, 2024

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Good morning, Friends. Happy Friday! We've got a lot going on this weekend - a birthday celebration for a friend, the last weekend of college baseball for Drew, and I'll be traveling to Dallas for a conference and to see my dad. Then Drew will be finished with his first year of college on Tuesday. What in the world? I'm looking forward to having him home and grateful that he loved his first year at school, but I am completely stunned at how fast the year went.

I appreciate so much all of the love and encouragement last week when I told y'all about my decision to finally write a book. Y'all are the sweetest - my all time #1 Friday Favorites. Here are some other sweet things from the week. 

1. Tomato Girl Summer Dress

Recently, I got an email from Red Dress Boutique mentioning "Tomato Girl Summer". I was so confused. I suppose this is what happens when you're 100 years old and not on the Tik Tok. I missed the news that this is the name of a trend in fashion and "lifestyle" (eyeroll) right now. According to the really hip Gen Z-ers it's actually an "aesthetic"(2nd eyeroll). 

I went to the Google and looked it up and this is what it said: The "Tomato Girl" trend is all about embodying the romantic, slow-paced life that might pop into your mind when the word "tomato" is brought about: breezy walks on a European coast, afternoon swims in the ocean, etc."

The youths, y'all? Sweet Mercy. Anyway, I went ahead and looked at the Tomato Girl Summer Collection even though I wanted to send a strongly worded email telling them to STOP MAKING UP STUPID STUFF AND JUST SELL US THE CLOTHES. Let me tell you what most of my Gen X friends and I think about Gen Z trying to make us buy into their random BS:

I am now 101 years old and apparently very cranky. Tomato Girl or not, I did see some cute things.

This bright yellow maxi dress looks adorable and comfortable for summer even if you consider yourself more of an Celery or Radish Girl. It also comes in blue or pink. I'm not sure if the tomatoes are a free gift with purchase or if they cost extra.

2. Wedge Sandals

Despite the fact that I refuse to partcipate in Tomato Girl Summer, I am pretty excited that the season for cute, relaxed dresses and sandals is upon us. I got these wedge sandals last week and they're so comfortable. They come in four different colors and are 20% off right now with code PEDIREADY.

3. Aloha Makeup Pouch

A friend of mine gave me one of these small Aloha pouches as a gift and I love it. I think it's the perfect thing to throw into a bigger tote at the beach or pool. It will hold your sunscreen, chapstick, makeup, contacts, sunglasses, etc. There are tons of great patterns and if you're looking for a larger tote, there are so many cute options here.

4. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Even though it has been on a bazillion and one best seller lists, I hesitated to read Remarkably Bright Creatures because in what universe do I want to read a book about a friendship between an old woman and an octopus? I am not one to read fantasy or sci-fi, so it seemed way out of the box for me. Then when I was in Savannah, my mother-in-law had the book and had just finished. She assured me that I would love it, and I'm not looking a gift horse/book in the mouth, so I decided to give it a shot. It's actually really great so far.

5. The Brothers that Used to Want to Kill Each Other

Because I'm not a fiction writer, most of the writing I do involves the real life stories of my family - my children in particular. For that matter, I don't think there has been a single sermon I've delivered that didn't feature an anecdote about one or all of my boys. Essentially, I write about my very ordinary life and the way my extraordinary God shows up in it to teach me how to move closer to Him through it all. To be sure, these boys have offered up a lot of material for me. This can be a tough needle to thread because I constantly have to consider the fact that some of my family's stories are our stories - meaning I don't have an exclusive right to tell them. 

So today I'm going to go out on a limb and write about these two fools, risking that one or both of them will call me a liar. It's not a big risk actually. They rarely, if ever, read this blog and also, they know it's all the truth. So here goes.

These two kids smiling all sweet up there? The 2nd child and the 3rd child? There were times I thought they would hate each other forever. There were times I told myself that it was just "boys being boys" and then there were times that their bickering and smack talk and awfulness toward each other literally made me sit on the kitchen floor and cry. I could say more, but that will have to suffice.

This past weekend Kyle came to see his little brother play in his last home game of the season. He got off of work early and drove eight hours coming in a day earlier than expected. He was supportive and proud and encouraging. Drew was thrilled he was there. Oh, do not doubt, they still say some terrible things to each other, but there is always a twinkle in their eyes when they do. After the games, as we walked to the car, Kyle said something along the lines of "Man, that's a tough kid." And I tried really hard to play it cool, but it made me want to hit my knees in parking lot and sob.

They smiled and laughed and had the best time together. Basically, what I am saying is they love the fire out of each other. They really, truly do. 

Sometimes, I try to be a good little Christian and pray for God's will and God's will only. I just ask that He will help me handle whatever that happens to be. And sometimes I pray specifically and boldly and pleadingly for exactly what I want to happen with no holding back. I begged God to make these three boys the best of friends one day. Begged Him. And He did it. 

So Mamas of little girls and little boys who think that there is no chance that there will ever be harmony and love and true friendship among your little band of maniacs? Keep praying. Pray without ceasing. Believe in miracles. I have seen one with my own eyes.

Have a great weekend!

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: April 19, 2024

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick 

Friday's here! We are at Lake Anna and I slept until after 9:00 am like some sort of teenager. Everything is better at the lake, including sleep. So I got a late start on finishing up the writing this morning. And to be honest, it was hard to push publish on #5 because I'm a scaredy cat. Anyway, here goes Friday Favorites!

1. Happy Birthday, Dad!

It's my Dad's Birthday! I'm not sure how old he is in this picture. Maybe eleven or twelve and he looks like he's running for city council. I would totally vote for him. Today he's 84 years young and the other night I had a dream that he was doing the worm in my family room and I was very alarmed, but he kept at it and laughed at my distress the whole time. Dad, if you don't know what the worm is, please see below. Do not get any ideas. I love you from the heart of my bottom. ;-)

Please also check out how fly my parents were in the 70s with my Uncle Tom looking equally groovy in the background. What a time to be alive it was. Also, I'm sweating thinking about all the polyester.

 

2. Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! By Kate Bowler

I have followed Kate Bowler for awhile, but had never bought any of her books until recently. There are some writers who sit at the top of my "Best Ever" list - those whose articles and books I will not miss. Kelly Corrigan, Anne Lamott, Frederick Buechner and now Kate Bowler. She writes so relatably and with wicked humor about some of the hardest challenges anyone can meet. I started this beautiful, hilarious, charming collection of daily meditations and I cannot recommend it more enthusiastically. 

3. Gardening Kneeler/Stool

Y'all. I know it's starting to look like The View from Behind the Senior Citizen Center around here, but it's getting real. Last week I talked about how I have a new found sense of hope since spring has sprung and that perhaps, despite never being all that into gardening, I might even plant some flowers this spring. Then last week, I went out to weed some of the beds in my front yard and ended up like this the next day:

Steve was feeling the same way, so he ordered this Gardening Kneeler Seat because tell me your kids all moved away and you are old now without telling me your kids all moved away and you are old now. You can sit on it OR you can turn it over and kneel on it. I mean, will you look at the Lord and what He can do?!! The excitement we both felt when this thing arrived was more significant than I want to admit. 

4. All for Love by Color Me Badd

I heard this old song the other day and it made me happy. I hope it makes you happy, too.

5. Doing a Thing . . . I think 

Hello, Readers. Or Reader, singular. Whoever is out there. Here’s something to tell you. And it will come to you messy and rambling, but you already knew that because if you’ve been here more than once, DUH, what’s new?

I’m working on a book or a devotional or a collection of essays or a book proposal or maybe all four at once. And I don’t want to say it out loud because it makes me feel cringy and scared and stupid, but God is telling me to start saying it out loud and get off my ass. (I’m paraphrasing the Lord here, of course.) To be honest, I’ve been intending to, meaning to, about to, planning to write a book for about 15 years.

My mom was my best editor and biggest cheerleader. She had access to my introduction draft and to a few rough chapters. She had made a few notes here and there. Then she died and I just quit working on it. I quit working on a lot of things, to be honest. I told myself that I didn’t really want to write a book anymore. I lied to myself.

I’m still struggling to commit to long stretches of writing time. I’m still all muddled up on how this whole thing will come together with a coherent theme or connective thread. I’m still terrified of all of the things that go into publishing a book that have nothing whatsoever to do with writing: specifically, but not limited to promotion, marketing, book agents, traditional vs. self-publishing, contracts and gaining social media followers. It gives me an eye twitch, but I suppose most people who write or follow any calling do so with some sort of twitch.

So I’m starting for real now. Why? Maybe because my mom’s been gone for over a year and it appears that no matter how much I begged, she’s not coming back. Such a drag. Maybe because God keeps dropping little hints and small opportunities and nudges here and there that I can’t ignore. Maybe because my husband told me to stop being a “wimp” (again, paraphrased) and get to it. And maybe because I’m so tired of thinking and not doing. It’s exhausting to think about something for 15 years. My brain is tired.

So here is step number one. I’m saying it out loud to you – a small, but mighty group of loyal, sweet, kind and funny readers of this blog – some who’ve been here for twelve years. These words I have written and hope to write are intended to make people laugh, think, and open their eyes to evidence of an extraordinary God in an ordinary life. Ultimately, of course, the hope is that my words will point people to Jesus. And the real truth is if I don’t get them out they will haunt me and continue to wear my tired little brain flat out.

As Anne Lamott says “You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves in your heart”. I get it because finally saying that I am doing this? It feels scary and vulnerable. More than that it feels like telling the truth. And that feels like a whole lot like freedom.

Stay tuned because I’ll be hitting you up to share my writing with friends, like my writing, comment on my writing, purchase my writing, etc. Basically, your job, dear Reader, as I try to serve you and follow God’s lead is to build up my fragile self-esteem. I’m kidding. Kinda. Carry on, now.

Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

– John 8:32

Have a blessed weekend.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: April 12, 2024

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick 

Hey, Friday! The week has flown by because we got back from Savannah on Monday night. I've been a day behind all week. Super interesting, right? Let's just go ahead and get to favorites since it's clear I have such riveting information to share today. '-)

1. None of  this is True by Lisa Jewell

YOU GUYS. This book is freaky. Really good and made my head spin. Yikes. 5 Stars for a quick read.

2. A Dress for a Speaking Engagement: a Plea for Help

I have a couple of speaking events in May and in June and I'm really struggling with the issue of what to wear. In the past I've always worn pants when I speak because I can clip the mic pack on the waistband or in a pocket - which is fine and I'm not sure why I'm overthinking it. However, I'm speaking on Mother's Day and I really would like to wear a dress. I've heard other speakers suggest you can wear Spanx under your dress, clip the mic pack to the back of the Spanx waistband and thread the wire with the ear piece up through the back of your dress to secure the mic in your ear. This is my reaction to that madness:

So, the dress will need pockets because I'm not putting myself through the torture of wearing Spanx, much less the chance that I might strangle myself in front of the congregation whilst trying to manage the hijinx it will take to get that wire to my ear. A dress with pockets shouldn't be too hard to find, but the fabric can't be too flimsy because then the mic pack drags the dress pocket down too much and I'll be off balance and nobody needs me to fall over. (This might be an irrational fear, yes, I know.) Also, I want to look feminine, but not fussy and everything seems to be floral right now. Would a busy floral pattern be too distracting? Maybe distracting is good because if my message stinks, at least the audience is distracted by a busy floral pattern and maybe they won't notice how boring I am. PS Florals are not my jam. I feel like Laura Ingalls in a floral dress. You can see this is a massive dilemma due to the fact that I've spent way too many sentences on it. If you have ideas, please let me know. 

Incidentally, one of my favorite things in the world is speaking to groups of women/parents/congregations about faith and finding the extraordinary blessings of God in an ordinary day. If you know of an organization that is looking for a speaker, please message me at jlpskinner@gmail.com. I'd love to chat with you. I promise I'll be sure to figure out the "What should I wear?" issue before I speak to your people. I  can guarantee there won't be a Spanx situation. Scout's honor.

 

3. A Sleeveless Blazer/Vest for a Speaking Engagement or Just for Life

Sleeveless blazers and vests are all over the place these days and I like them. This is, perhaps, the answer to my speaking attire dilemna. Maybe I'll skip the dress. I ordered this one from Amazon and it looks cute with a tank and dress pants or with jeans. There are a zillion colors available with this style and lots of other options for this type of vest available on Amazon as well.

4. Not My Home by Luke Bower 

I heard this song recently on the radio and I had never heard of Luke Bower. My goodness, this is beautiful. I love it so much.

5. Savannah, Georgia

We had a wonderful weekend visiting Steve's parents in Savannah, Georgia over the weekend. It felt like a true vacation. Joe and Kyle joined us and the guys had a blast golfing, eating, making me laugh and doing it all over again the next day. 

I was able to go shopping on Broughton Street while they golfed and take lots of walks around my in-law's neighborhood. The weather was stunningly beautiful and the sun shone bright the whole time we were there. My mother-in-law is an incredible gardener and her flowers were gorgeous. 

I am not a flower person - I love them - I just don't know their names and I don't have the patience to plant and care for them. However, I found new interest in the flowers this weekend. Their colors seemed more vibrant and the message of a blooming bud was very clear to me. 

Spring is time for renewal. For coming out of the darkness. It seemed a call to live lighter and gradually shrug off the heavy cloak of grief that I've clung to for so many months. I feel able to do new things now - maybe even plant flowers?  I think my mom is cheering for me.

Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! 

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

-Isaiah 43:18-19

Have a lovely weekend, friends. Believe in renewal. It has been promised to us. And Jesus keeps His promises. 

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well.

5 Friday Favorites: April 5, 2024

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick 

Hello and Happy Friday!! I'm late posting today because I'm traveling again and I couldn't get this thing fired up at the airport. Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend! We are spending it in Savannah, Georgia with Steve's parents. Here are some favorite things from this week.

1. Drawstring Wide Leg Pants

My sister recently suggested these wide leg cargo pants from Target. They remind me a lot of the green Easel Mineral Wash pants I bought last summer which I wore the fire out of. These are a much better price point and come in black, pink or light brown.

2. Chile Chicken Soup

My Aunt Marilyn, who is one of the best cooks of all time, gave me this Chicken Chile Soup recipe when I was in Texas a couple of weeks ago. I made it and Steve and I both loved it. Highly recommend.

3 Chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 onion, chopped

2 14.5 oz. cans of chicken broth

2 Jars of Trader Joe's Salsa Verde sauce (or green enchilada sauce)

2 4 oz cans of chopped green chiles

2/3 cup water

1 1/2 tablespoons cumin

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2/3 cup frozen corn kernals (thawed)

Saute onion in olive oil. Then place sauteed onion plus all ingredients in crock pot on high for 3-4 hours. Top with shredded Montery Jack cheese, chopped avocado, and sour cream

3. Silcone Coffee Cup Covers

Another cute thing from my amazing Aunt Marilyn: these adorable coffee covers. When I spent the night at her house, she had these out next to the coffee pot to keep coffee warm in the mugs. What is this magic? My desk is upstairs so I'm constantly going up and down to heat up my coffee. We had one of those Ember mugs which was fabulous until it stopped working. These are a much less expensive and cuter option.

4. The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Women is one of the best books I've read in awhile. My goodness, can Kristin Hannah tell a story. 5 Stars. Two thumbs up. Highly recommend.

5. Thoughts on the Parenting of the Teens: Seeing Truth vs. Fear

I talk about my children and about parenting on this blog quite a bit. I always hestitate to give advice because of a million reasons including but not limited to:

1. I'm no where near a perfect parent and have so many things to apologize to my children for now and very likely will in the future also.

2. I am not done being a parent and as I understand it, never will be.

3. The kids are alright, but the jury is always out. ;-)

And last but not least, I have very rarely felt that I've had any idea what the heck I was doing in the area of parenting.

Still the fact is that I have been at this particular gig for over 25 years. I have experienced newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary, middle, and high school aged kids, pre-teens, teens, college students, young adults and perhaps the most perplexing experience of all: the parenting of the strange and frightening life form that is a 14 year old boy. In addition, I have had countless conversations with other moms as we've navigated parenthood over the years.  Many of these moms have had similar experiences to mine and some have been completely different.

Recently I was talking to a mom of a young teen. She was frightened about what was to come - terrified of all the angsty teen drama and conflict that she supposed was on the horizon. It took me back to those early high school years for my boys. I found the beginnings of something I wrote back then. Perhaps I shared some of it here so many years ago. I honestly can't remember. So I revisited these thoughts this week in the wake of that conversation. I wish I would have said this to that mom. 

In a world full of a deluge of information, we parents - and dare I say, mothers, especially - create versions of teenagers in our heads. I would say the images of these mythical creatures become particularly detailed at certain times of the day . . . i.e. as the clock ticks closer to curfew and we have yet to hear the garage door lift. 

As we lie awake, the babies we have loved and known so intimately for so many years morph into the dumbest, most impulsive, most reckless versions of a human being that we can conjure up. We spin ourselves out until the plot of every story we have ever read, every news broadcast we've heard, every After-school Special we ever watched suddenly centers around the very child we birthed. We stare at the ceiling picturing their faces in the backs of police cars, in ditches, in ambulances, in jail, in hospital ERs. 

Certainly, we can make a great case for these fears. They can be based on what we’ve heard from credible sources – not only news stories, but doctors, scientists, and true bonafide research that shows evidence that our children lack a fully developed frontal cortex. Add that to gossip from the community – I'm looking at you, "Local Town Facebook Community Group page"  - along with our own memories of our teenaged years and what you have is a mama on the edge.

And here's a suggestion that worked for me . . . maybe once or twice on nights like those. Perhaps one way to settle our brains and hearts for a minute is to focus on the actual version of the child that lives in your house at this precise moment. I’m not suggesting putting your head under the covers and denying facts. The fear that a teen might make a terrible mistake is valid and the consequences are real. 

The questions I used to center myself were: What do I see, hear and experience now in my home? What version of this actual human being lives and breathes in front of me everyday? What version of this boy do his friends see? His teachers see? His coaches see?

One of my favorite songs by the band Crowder is called "Here’s My Heart, Lord". In it the singer pleads, “Here’s my heart Lord. Speak what it true.”

It is imperative that we acknowledge truth. Of course, when our kids are teens if we give them any freedom at all, we simply aren’t always sure what is true. But we can pinpoint some things that we know to be real about our children. And to tell yourself you are completely in the dark is, not always, but most often, a lie that fear is telling you.

In worrying about a particular son one late night, it struck me. I could create a version of this boy that the culture told me was possible and was even probable. Or I could look at the boy in front of me. 

This was not to deny the facts. Teens drink. Many do drugs. Many are having sex. They drive too fast and make stupid choices. But just as I couldn’t deny what might be happening and what might be true, I also could not deny what my eyes and ears were telling me was true about my child in the every day. 

So I wrote down all the things that night:  He gets up on his own with an alarm every day and goes to school on time. He is engaged with his friends and cares deeply for them. He works hard and practices his sport. He is committed to his teammates. He comes home at the curfew we have set way more often than not and if he's going to be late he texts me. He hugs me and says, "I love you." He is responsible with his car and his belongings. He plays with his dog. He laughs easily. He loves his grandmother.

While I couldn't deny the truth of what was potentially and even likely happening outside of my house, I couldn’t deny the real qualities and behaviors I was experiencing when I stopped letting hand-wringing and anxiety cloud my eyes. The relationship with my kids had to always take precendence over my unhinged imagination. It would either be built or be broken down based on my ability to recognize truth during those years.  I did not want to be my children's friend. Neither did I want to be their enemy. The line to walk was very thin and I will say that I did this better with some, than with others. Having three kids with three different personalities can be confusing. It can also give you a chance to try again. My apologies to all of them for different reasons.

So that's all I've got for today. Just a thought - you might agree or not - but for my money, the best way to rest my heart and mind was to take a moment to breathe deep and rest in what I knew for sure. I couldn't ignore hard evidence of danger. But I also couldn't lump my child into every story I had ever heard. I found that when talking to my kid about all of the scary and disappointing things that I had imagined or even actually seen in him, I should start with the beautiful, good and wise things that I was seeing first.

Look your kid in the eyes and remember who he is and whose he is. Rest in that version of your child. Be grateful for it.  And when he falters remember that the Lord is always working. He started something good. He's not done yet.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 1:6

Have the best weekend, friends.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well.

5 Friday Favorites: March 29, 2024

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick 

Hello and Happy Friday to you, Friends. I'm back in Virginia after being in Texas visiting my family last week which marked a year since we lost my mom. It was a really nice week with my Dad. And my Mom showed up for us in the most delightful way. I'm happy to be home and feeling a renewed sense of hope. It's odd and I'm not sure why, but I'll take it because hope has been hard to come by in the past year. I'm not sure I fully recognized how hopeless I have been, but when you get it back, you realize how difficult a life is without it. I know that grief will walk with me forever, but I feel like hope is chasing after me right now. And I'm allowing her to catch up.

Here are some favorite things from the week.

1. A Pedicure with Dad and Dutch Tulips by OPI

My dad, sister and I had a mini "spa day" last week and got pedicures together. I don't think I've ever gotten a pedicure with my dad, but I highly recommend it.

I am not a huge fan of pink, but I found this really spring-y pinkish-red polish by OPI called Dutch Tulips and I love it.

2. Lenetta 2 Piece Lounge Set

I'm a sucker for a set these days - it's like the grown up version of Granimals and I'm here for it. I saw this 2 piece lounge set on Amazon and it could be risky, but the reviews are pretty good. It comes in so many cute colors. You can also get 15% off right now when you click the coupon box. 

3. Anthropologie Bettina Tiered Shirt Dress

I want to wear this dress on Easter Sunday. I will not be wearing this dress on Easter Sunday. I don't have it and also I'm not 7 feet tall and the short people sizes are gone. *sigh*

4. Thief by Third Day

Every single year on Good Friday I share this song by Third Day. It is told from the perspective of the man who hung on the cross next to Jesus. It is one of the most powerful and moving songs I've ever heard.

5. A Hello from Heaven

I've tried to find signs from my mom all year. I think I've gotten a few -  Drew's homerun last year seemed pretty otherworldly - but to tell the truth, I've been disappointed. It also happened to be an insanely busy year with graduations and empty nests and helping my children move to and from various states in the Union. Also, I can do a pretty bang-up job of distracting myself from silence and solitude, thus avoiding actual feelings and the chance to look beyond the task right in front of me. 

I'm not sure how to tell this story or even if I should since it's personal and special to my family and me. But what I have found is that in this last year of crushing doubt and grief, I have been drawn to stories of others who have experienced loss and bitterness, but have also found moments that give them hope that God is real and faithful and present. I've been frustrated and depleted this year. In the end though, I have hung on tight with both hands to my faith because as Peter says to Jesus in the Gospel of John, "Lord, where the heck else am I gonna go?" (I'm paraphrasing.)

So this story and these pictures are of course, for my family and me so that we can look back at them. And they are for you, reader. Especially if you have walked this path. It is to remind all of us to keep looking.

We went to the church. We sat on the benches in the beautiful outdoor garden near the columbarium where her ashes are kept. I sat there. I stared at her name. I tried to feel peace or sadness or anger or anything at all. I felt nothing and to be honest I wondered, "What is the required time to sit here on the anniversary of my mom's death? Is there a rule? Do I have to wait for something to happen? Might I be here all night? What am I missing? This is weird and I need a drink."

In the meantime, my sister had walked away into the grassy field beyond where I sat. In a few minutes I heard her say, "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Look."

Listen, there was some science to it, I'm sure. But it hadn't rained a drop all day. And when we looked up we saw a prismy-rainbowy-type opening in the sky. (This is obviously the scientific term for it.) Shooting out of both sides of this prismy-rainbowy-type opening and making a circle around the sun was some other bright kind of orbit-y light thing.

Again, based on my vocabulary, you are sure to find my next published work in the latest issue of Scientific American. Anyway, then we looked directly up and there was a rainbow straight over our heads.

And I couldn't speak. I just laughed and cried and laughed some more. I could have stared up at that beautiful "whatever-the-heck-it-was" forever, but it was so bright I kept having to keep my hands up to keep from going blind. 

Y'all. I know. I know that someone could explain it away. They could tell me about atmospheres and weather patterns and reflective light. Whatever. That's fine.

I don't care because all I could say through my giggling was "Hey, Mom."

Today, on Good Friday, as I remember those moments, I am overcome by the verses from 1 Corinthians 15:  "Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?"

I believe in science and physics and chemistry and all of that stuff. But my family and I don't need to understand the physics of what happened in that sky. We will walk into church this weekend to celebrate the risen Christ and I will feel the words of Pope John Paul II deep in my bones, "We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song." 

Last year, I was a mess of tears and sorrow on Resurrection Sunday as it came only two weeks after her death. On Sunday, I hope it will be different because I am still an Easter person. And this year, I will sing. 

Have a blessed weekend.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well.

5 Friday Favorites: March 15, 2024

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick 

Hello, Friends. I'm back this week before I travel to Dallas next week. Likely there won't be any Friday Favorites next week because Wednesday will mark one year since we lost my mom. My family and I wanted to be face to face with each other for a bit next week so I'll be headed home in a few days.

I feel like I've been gritting my teeth lately holding out some crazy hope that I will feel like myself again if I can just get to the other side of this crappiversary (I stole this term from someone and I'm not sure who. Please advise, if you know). Somewhere deep in my soul, I know that this isn't true. 

By the grace of God, I spent the week before my mom died with her and my dad. She was as alive and vibrant as could be. In the early morning of St. Patrick's Day last year I got ready to leave for the airport to return to Virginia. In the kitchen, we poured our coffee and those were the last moments I had with her. I had no idea that would be the last time I hugged her. She loved St. Patrick's Day and she asked if I wanted to add some Bailey's Irish Cream to my coffee. I said, "Mom, it's 5 am." She shrugged with a smile and said, "Suit yourself," adding a substantial pour to her cup. I'm so grateful for that moment and I will miss my mom forever. So this St. Patrick's Day even though I will feel sad, I'll remember that I'm one of the luckiest people on the planet. It's not a small thing to love someone and to be loved by someone so much that she is part of your every hour for the rest of your life. 

Here are some of my favorite things from the week.

1. $8 Target Tanks

These ribbed tanks from Target are only $8 and they are my absolute favorite. They come in all the colors and I get a few of them every year. 

2. The Cutest Shoes Ever

Kyle's girlfriend, Merrill, and I went shopping in Nashville a couple of weeks ago while Steve and Kyle golfed and I almost had a heart attack when I saw these Tretorn Shoes at Draper James. I didn't buy them.Thank you for being impressed. I humbly accept your congratulations on this feat of superhuman will. I have thought of them every single day since. They are so cute I can't stand it.

3. Aerie Striped Quarter Zip

I present to you the proof that the interweb is watching. This top is the 325th quarter zip pullover hoodie type situation that has arrived in my social media feed in the last month or so. I don't need it.  You don't need it. Nobody needs it. Why is it stalking me?

4. Yousify Striped Sweater Vest

It was 70ish degrees this week three days in a row and it made me really ready for Spring and short sleeves. This striped sweater vest is so cute. I think it would look great with white or blue denim. It comes in a bunch of colors and you can click the box to get a whopping 8% off!

5. Baseball, Friends, & a Rechargeable Hand Warmer

Our dear friends, and long time fellow baseball parents, Regena and Andy, drove over to Lexington, Virginia on Sunday to watch Drew's team play at Washington and Lee University. And we know they are special friends because it was 42 degrees, terribly windy and at one point it started snowing.

 

Their son. Ben, and Kyle played baseball together starting at 8 years old and Ben is now an actual real live professional baseball player so Regena knows a thing or two about sitting through Spring games that feel like the dead of winter. She had this rechargeable hand warmer with her and I could not believe that I didn't know these existed. What a world we live in, friends! This thing is a game changer. No pun intended.

As usual, we are loving traveling around watching Drew play and are off to the ballpark again this weekend before I fly to Dallas. Have a blessed weekend and a wonderful week. Thanks for stopping by.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well.