The Significant Now

Lake Lights

I’ve been holding out for some divine inspiration lately, a few life-altering insights to share with the world. But the truth is this: I don’t have any. The school year has ended, life is unhurriedly unfurling, and nothing earth-shattering has rocked our existence of late. And you know what? I love it. I am so […]

Sharing Sunday with John Green

Mary Claire and John Green

Celebrate my 44th at Noah Grant’s with my best friend and listen to John Green speak all within a 24-hour window? It was a no-brainer. As soon as Andi mentioned the possibility, we loaded the three youngest kids in the car — Mary Claire and George bursting with the anticipation of meeting their literary and […]

A Trip Around the Sun

Date Night Selfie with Purple Hat

Today begins another trip around the sun. The snow in our backyard is melting, revealing layers upon layers of dog poo — the remnants of a long, cold, record-setting season — measuring the winter of our discontent like rings on a tree. But it’s the first day of spring, my birthday, and there are buds […]

Full of Grate

George at the Movies

The season of gratitude is upon us. I’ve been reading the daily Facebook posts. Some may find them wearing, but I enjoy the reminder to look at life through a different lens — sometimes even one that’s rose-colored. Ultimately, this family has so much — healthy kids, happy marriage, squirrel-chasing dogs, a roof over our […]

Giving Thanks

Gus Holding a Heart-Shaped Rock

I cannot deny that these past two years have been hard. Soul-crushing, fetal-position hard at times. Let me begin by saying this, by owning this: I know that if I threw my problems into a pile with all the other problems of the world, I’d grab mine back as quickly as I could. I know […]

Reluctant Research

Notebook and Pen

Many years ago, when I first began my professional career, I worked with a gal who became a quick friend. We were in different departments, but we clicked instantly. She’d just gotten married, I was engaged. We were young and happy and upwardly mobile. Shortly after our friendship was cemented over dinners out and shared […]

The One Less Traveled

Sunrise Through the Windshield

Obstacles often present themselves as opportunities. Today, I get to wrap my arms around that life lesson and give it a little squeeze. Here’s what I received from my prospective agent this afternoon: “Dear Ms. Willis, Thank you for your patience while we gathered a number of readings on THREE OF EVA.  Prospective Agent #1 […]

WWSD?

Steve Jobs

It’s another news story that’s going to do us all in. The death of Steve Jobs is going to be over-covered, over-reported, over-discussed. And yes, I am aiding and abetting. Yesterday, I spent a great deal of time in the financial fetal position. As of late, we’ve cut our income by 50%, we sold our […]