Beverly Smith
I’m Leaving
“I’m leaving. See you in a bit. Have fun!” Mom and/or Dad wave and walk away without so much as a backward glance. Their toddler waves "‘bye ‘bye," happily picks up a toy, and...
I love you Mommy
“I love you, Mommy.”
As sweet as it sounded, I knew she’d usually done something she shouldn’t have when she slid up next to me and said, “I love you, Mommy.”
It was never anything terrible,...
The Blue Thing
“I can’t find the blue thing.”
“Maybe it got lost in the great kitchen disaster.”
“No, we’ve used it since then. I can’t find it. It’s just disappeared.”
“We’ll have to use the white things.”
“You don’t think...
A Small List of Grievances
My youngest and her friend spent a day broiling in the sun selling pictures for Kent one Saturday. He takes great pictures of youth sports and has turned his love of photography into a...
Does Someone Need A Hug?
Fun fact from the National Park Service social media page: What do you call a baby porcupine? A porcupette of course and they are born with their quills. It takes a few hours for...
Drop Your Phone and Put Your Hands In the Air
“Hello? Did you even hear what I said? Hey! Hello? That’s it, drop your phone and put your hands in the air!”
“Huh?”
Have you ever gotten the blank stare? Have you ever given it? You...
What I’d Say to My Younger Self
My high school class is gathering for a reunion this fall. A friend has been posting pictures from our yearbook in the Facebook group. Oh my, I look at my seventeen-year-old self from the...
I’m here, You’re safe, I love you.
“I’m here, you’re safe, I love you.” I patted her on the back and went out into the hall, hoping she would fall back asleep. The cries began even before I got out the...
“My Plans Never Work Out”
“My plans never work out.” The wails of a three year-old. He’s sitting straight up in his chair, arms limp by his sides, crocodile tears spilling over and down his face.
“Get the food out...
What Are You Reading?
What are you reading? A simple enough question. But is it? With all the discussion over books recently, it’s worth taking a good look at what you, and your kids, are poring over.
“Books are...