Here we go again! A knock at the door and our little dog Snitzel rips down the hall as fast as his little dachshund legs can maneuver, barking ferociously. Baby’s been asleep for thirty minutes but he’s absolutely awake now. How can one little puppy create such a disturbance? Part of me wants to ... Read More
The Message From the Cedar Waxwings – Step 2 Hope
Step 2 says, “Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health.” One of the pivotal words in this step is the word “you.” Can restore you Nannette! You restore you ______ (Fill in the blank with your own name.) It doesn’t help me at all to believe that God can and ... Read More
“What Time House Close?” – Step 3 Trust in God
Several years ago we had an exchange student from Japan, Koichi, stay with us for week. While he was here he asked lots and lots of questions which I attempted to answer. There was a definite language barrier. There is one question he asked that I will never forget. It had been a crazy busy day of ... Read More
“That’s Not On My Schedule!” – Step 3 and Step 11
This week my daughter shared the following conversation that took place between her and her 5-year-old, Maddie: "Maddie, it’s time to go outside and play" "That's not in my SCHEDULE Mom" "What schedule?" "Well you said the other day that it was good to have a schedule of what you do each day, so ... Read More
The Foundation of All Aftercare – Step 1
Last year I accompanied my nephew, Jonathan, to the hospital and waited while he had surgery on the collarbone he broke playing Ultimate Frisbee the first week of the new semester at the university. When the surgery was complete the doctor came in, showed me the x-ray of his mended bone, which was ... Read More
How Effective Is Your Self-Talk? – Step 11
In the world of popular psychology there has been much talk about “Self Talk.” It is generally advised that we keep the conversation that goes on in our heads positive. I find single-handedly holding down a “Positive Mental Attitude” to be a big order. In recovery I am learning to replace “self ... Read More
My Goodly Parents, Carrying the Message by Teaching “Somewhat” – Step 12
Today would have been my Father’s 80th Birthday. That’s hard to even comprehend, because when he left us thirty-eight years ago he was the forty-two year old daddy of two daughters and five sons, ages ranging from sixteen (me) to age three. I write this as a tribute to him and as a reminder to ... Read More
“Mommy, I Just Wanted To Get A Violin, Ya Know, Just Have One!”
Helping children with music lessons is definitely upper division training for parents. I can’t even imagine how many hours I’ve spent tutoring at the piano, encouraging from the kitchen sink, and sitting through lessons. My biggest adventure into the unknown came when my youngest daughter asked if ... Read More
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