“Shhhh!” Johnathan urgently whispered. “There’s a fake man sleeping in my room!” My then-four-year-old caught me off-guard with his instructions. On the one hand, he was adamant that everyone in the house conform to his imaginary world; on the other hand, his own words betrayed him when he described the man as “fake.” IContinue reading “PEACEFULLY His”
Author Archives: Nicki Dechert Carlson
ETERNALLY His
I routinely dropped my son off at school one morning, and watched as he climbed out of the back seat. I offered my typical, “Bye, sweetie!” He replied, “Bye sweetie Mommy,” quickly closed the door, and off he went. I sat in the car for a moment, giggling at his funny farewell. This was decidedlyContinue reading “ETERNALLY His”
Equally His
“Tell me all your thoughts on God, Cause I’d really like to meet her, And ask her why we’re who we are.” —Counting Blue Cars by Dishwalla— Who are we? I’ve asked myself this question numerous times lately. As someone who tends to always find and focus on the good in others, I’ve truly struggledContinue reading “Equally His”
AGREEABLY His
“Johnathan! Why did you just stick your tongue out at me?” Rachel yelled. “I didn’t!” he replied indignantly. “I was just stretching it!” And there it is, folks — a disagreement in the Carlson household. Let’s just admit it and face it: our world is ripe with disagreements these days. I don’t know about you,Continue reading “AGREEABLY His”
IMMOVABLY His
I am experiencing an intense love/hate relationship with cooking right now. I oscillate between the blissful, therapeutic, rhythmic chopping of fresh vegetables and stirring of pots and saucepans, to absolute dread and anguish at the mere thought of planning and preparing one more meal. I’m reminded of my mixed emotions the time a young JohnathanContinue reading “IMMOVABLY His”
PRESENTLY His
I sit in front of the keyboard today with its blinking cursor and I just cry. Part of me wants to start writing and never stop, to experience some great catharsis. A different part of me wants to avoid writing altogether, and succumb to this numbing experience of quarantine and isolation. Am I the onlyContinue reading “PRESENTLY His”
HOPEFULLY His
I finally decorated my Easter tree today. I’ve had a hard time mustering the energy and determination to do it. For me, Easter is about celebration — specifically, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. In light of the current state of our sick and quarantined world, I haven’t felt much like celebrating; therefore, I haven’t feltContinue reading “HOPEFULLY His”
POSITIVELY His
Overheard in my house today: “GET YOUR FINGER OUT OF YOUR NOSE! You’re gonna catch the ‘Rona!” It reminded me of a time when nose-picking was simply gross, not potentially fatal. My son was six years old at the time, and he asked me out of seemingly nowhere, “Mom, did you pick your nose whenContinue reading “POSITIVELY His”
AUTHENTICALLY His
My four-year-old son sat at the kitchen table eating his dinner of fish sticks and green beans, wearing a pair of underwear on his head, one of his sister’s purple sequined cardigan sweaters, and sporting no pants and no shirt. Grace said, “Why are you wearing my purple sweater?” I said, “Where are your pants?”Continue reading “AUTHENTICALLY His”
REPEATEDLY His
Don’t cry over spilled coffee. Unless you’re sick. And running late. And barely pull yourself together so you can pick your child up from school and take your sick self to your child’s well-child appointment (irony) where you don a mask to protect others … only to find out the appointment was canceled and rescheduledContinue reading “REPEATEDLY His”
