Category Archives: families

The Breathin’ Part

Posted on April 8, 2016 by sandrapaldrich

Nancy Bingham Farley Years ago, when my beloved grandmother Mama Farley died at age ninety, my husband, Don, and I decided our then five-year-old daughter, Holly, and six-year-old son, Jay, would attend the Kentucky funeral with us. During the long … Continue reading →

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Posted in a child's wisdom, aging, ancestors, Appalachia, children, confidence, encouragement, faith, families, funerals, grief, heaven, Kentucky | Leave a comment

Zetta’s Coal Camp Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2015 by sandrapaldrich

After a restless night, Zetta dressed quietly and slipped into the kitchen. The snow still was falling. She watched the soot absorb the flakes, then picked up an orange from yesterday’s school party and breathed deeply of its fragrance before … Continue reading →

Posted in Appalachia, Book: Zetta's Dream, children, Christmas, Coal Camps, families, Kentucky | Leave a comment

Believing Makes It So

Posted on December 9, 2014 by sandrapaldrich

Even though I’m a card-carrying member of AARP, I still ponder the wisdom my maternal grandmother, Mama Farley, possessed. The world undoubtedly saw her as a simple Appalachian mountain woman, but her strength and understanding of life rippled out to … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestors, Appalachia, appreciation, confidence, counting blessings, courage, education, encouragement, faith, families, grandmothers, Kentucky, mentors, perseverance, self-esteem, self-talk | Leave a comment

What I Wish I Could Ask My Dad

Posted on November 11, 2014 by sandrapaldrich

On this Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada, I’m pondering all my dad and others like him endured as they fought in various wars. And I wish I could go back in time and find a way … Continue reading →

Posted in aging parents, courage, families, regrets, veterans, World War II | Leave a comment

Sweet Birthday Memories

Posted on October 5, 2014 by sandrapaldrich

What special memories do you associate with birthdays? Do you smile as you ponder a long-ago celebration? I like remembering my 34th birthday when my husband surprised me with a gathering of dear friends at our Michigan supper club. How … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, birthdays, children, counting blessings, families, God's presence, single mothers, single-parent families, widows | Leave a comment

The Single-Parent Family: Still a Family

Posted on January 25, 2013 by sandrapaldrich

My daughter, Holly, was in third grade when she came home one day in tears. The class room mother had handed out directions to an event and said, “Take these home to your families.” Then undoubtedly remembering that Holly’s dad … Continue reading →

Posted in families, grief, single mothers, single-parent families | 4 Comments

Concentrating on What I Have Left

Posted on October 6, 2012 by sandrapaldrich

Yesterday was my son’s birthday. And while I rejoice at this milestone, I am mindful he now is older than his dad, my husband, was before brain cancer swept in and changed our family forever. But I have choices. So … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, birthdays, children, families, grief, single mothers, single-parent families | 1 Comment