Her 50th birthday would have been today. :(

50

Dear Car, If things had been different, …the couch I sit at in this moment would have streamers and balloons above it. I suspect your mom would have had you over for the day to occupy you, while your husband decorated and fussed, while your friends came over to put up decorations and loaded food …

You were the reason, George H.W. Bush said when his wife said there must have been a reason his life was saved in WW2.

“You were the reason”-George H.W. Bush

Jon Meacham’s gave a humorous and moving eulogy at Barbara Bush’s funeral in spring of 2018. I find the relationship between George H.W. and Barbara Bush profoundly moving in it’s gentle tenderness. George H.W. Bush was strong and brave. He was also tender and loving. And George H.W. Bush was brave to let his tender …

Take the emotional labor quiz

Take the Emotional Labor Quiz

If you find value this blog, you may want to read the book I wrote that includes this idea in it: Husband spent last week in Texas, along with a team of other volunteers, rebuilding a house that was destroyed in last year’s Hurricane Harvey. He has a seasonal business, and that frees him up …

Of Bird Feeders and Trauma

There was about a year in my life when I was in very close contact with a trauma survivor. Despite the fact that I had known him a long time, it seemed he didn’t trust me. I would ask him, “How was your day?” as part of friendly conversation, he would suggest that I was …

Does your spouse annoy you?

  Hal talks with people and he has his finger on the pulse of what people are saying. .And, as he said on today’s show, he doesn’t much care what other people think. That frees Hal to name topics that other people wonder about but don’t say out loud… Today, we spoke about how to …

Snickers is Huband's favorte...and I didn't know. It reminded me about being deligent about the love map I have for Husband. Snickers bar on wood background

Snickers and Love Maps

This idea is part of a book I’ve written about couples…men and women each doing the best they can–and having a resource to do even better. If you like this blog, you may want to buy the whole book! Husband and I have been married for over 3 years. I thought I knew Husband. I found …

Three years of marriage...leather. Celebrating the third anniversary of marriage with Husband

Third Anniversary–Leather

It has been three years since Husband and I stood before family and friends to commit our lives to each other…our third anniversary.  Maybe now we are an old married couple? 😉 Pastor John was one of the officiants at our ceremony. He means a lot to both of us, as he has had significant …

3 years since Husband proposed on Conexus blog. The story.

February 15

I have a theory about Valentine’s Day: Valentine’s Day is a crushingly discouraging day for those in the midst of heartbreak. A reminder of al that was lost. It is salt in the wound for those that are single, irritating the soul that seemingly everyone, save you, has someone to share romantic cards and dinner …

New Book: My Marriage is Almost Dead…

I heard a story about some acquaintances  a few days ago…the couple had been married for several years.  The wife was unhappy, but she hated confrontation.  She didn’t want to say anything that would hurt her husband. She didn’t want to be the source that created long and difficult conversations. So she said nothing. The situation …