Author: Marlys Lawry Page 20 of 54

When winter collides into your spring

Where I live, you know spring has arrived when the snow is almost melted off the picnic tables, the footbridges, the trails.

 

All photos: Marlys

How I was wrong

Thirteen years ago, a wonderful job opportunity opened up in New Jersey for my son-in-law, Josh. I was the most supportive mom-in-law I know—Yay, Josh!—until it became clear that he planned to take my daughter, Summer, and our grandchildren with him.

 

Photo by Daniel Koponyas on Unsplash

What if we took one day at a time?

It’s my last full day at this cabin set in the middle of hundreds of acres. The sun is just waking up, painting the sky in pastels, leaving a pink ribbon on the pond.

 

Photo: Marlys

Why rest?

In an article Sarah Thebarge wrote after spending two months practicing medicine in a war zone in South Sudan, she said, “I keep reminding myself that rest is holy.”

 

Photo by Enrico Carcasci on Unsplash

Beginner’s Guide to surviving aloneness

The day is just beginning to light up in this remote place, all snow-piled with far-flung hills blending into the white-edged sky so you can barely tell where the mountains leave off and the sky begins.

 

All photos: Marlys

Who knew gray and white could be so beautiful?

How to fall in love with being alive

As I write this, I’m holed away in a gorgeous, remote log cabin, almost snowed in. (Almost means I could probably get down the mile-long driveway to the main road in my all-wheel-drive vehicle if I wanted to—but who wants to?!)

All photos: Marlys

Is chivalry dead?

After a writing session in a coffee shop, I discovered a very flat tire. The temperature was in the teens, it was starting to spit snow, and dusk was just beginning to think about showing her dark side.

 

Photo: Marlys

 

How to manage waylaid plans

The plan was for a six-week writing retreat at a log cabin surrounded by 2,200 acres.

 

Photo: Marlys

Best way to buy happiness

Someone very wise and insightful penned these words:

You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy books, and that’s kind of the same thing.

Photo: Marlys

Celebrating friendship in grief

January 15 marks the day when my friend Charity watched frantically, hysterically as her husband and three-year-old son were swept out to sea by a sneaker wave.

Every year, on the anniversary of the Worst Day Ever, Charity is determined to get as far above sea level as possible.

 

Photo of Charity (by Chylynn Barklow)

Page 20 of 54

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