Beneath the Wraps

            When Roland’s oldest two girls were ten and eight, we were finally granted overnight visitation.   At the time – though our visits weren’t as often as the courts had assigned – I fully believe that I knew those girls better than either of their biological parents – and I really didn’t know either that well.         Frances, at the time, claimed she loved school.   She loved to paint and draw.   Her artwork was actually quite good.   She was easily amused, had quite an annoying laugh, and was very loud.   She often repeated catch phrases or tag lines – I think more to help herself understand them.   She had learned the shark song and sang it often as she moved her hands for each family member. “Grandpa Shark” was her favorite.         Jenna is ten.   She used to love school.   She currently likes ...

Roland often tells this joke about Satan entering a congregation of worshipers.   Frightened with his presence, the parishioners begin to flee the church except for one man.   Satan sits next to him on the pew and after trying a few more scare tactics finally says to the man, “Why is it that you are not frightened of me.” The man just looks at him and shakes his head and says, “Nothing you can do will frighten me.   After all, I’ve been married to your sister for the last twenty years” Roland’s marriage to his last wife did not make it to twenty years however.   But I think that is who he thinks about when he tells the joke.                         When I saw the advertisements for Disney’s Maleficent, I thought to myself:   “How quaint.   A movie about Roland’s ex-wife”       ...

My body is sooooo sore and has been for a few days.   I feel like I’ve been used as a ping-pong ball by two very expertise players.   But of course I could never be used as a ping-pong ball. A bowling ball maybe.   And not one of those shiny ones that glide smoothly down the lane to shatter pins. I would be one of those dust collectors that has a flaw so that there is no speed involved whatsoever.   Or perhaps I feel like the pin that has been hit over and over. Beach balls, though big, are light and airy and can pop quite easily.   I am thin-skinned and have cut my fingers peeling back egg shells (on occasion) I could never be a basketball or rubber ball or super ball.   I have no bounce – though I may have had at one time.   I’ve long since outgrew my ability to bounce. I suppose I could be a soccer ball that’s been kicked too many times Or pool ball that’s been poked an...

          Roland has often told me about different dreams that he’s had and always concludes with, “What do you think it means?”           Dreams are just that.  Some are bizaare.  Some are wonderful.  Some you hope to never “dream” again.  And perhaps some do have meaning.  Truthfully, I don’t place too much value in dreams.  I think that is how God communicated to his children at one time – and perhaps still does to some – though I think the methods of communication have broadened sufficiently since then. My personal opinion is that, overall, dreams really don’t mean a whole lot.           Still, I often have crazy dreams that I will write down or share just because they are so bizarre.  And sometimes I ask myself what would have caused me to dream it.  But I never go into depth about the possible symbo...