Fifteen years. Fifteen years ago, a precious little blond-haired, green-eyed bundle of joy was placed into my arms. I was no longer only a career woman, married to a great guy. I also gained the title of “mom.” And from that moment, my life was never the same. A whole new world. Good gracious. What in the world was I doing? This … [Read more...]
You were a good one, Pistol
Our 11-year-old son, Nolan, has always held his Papaw Couch and his Uncle Willy as heroes. They’re “real cowboys,” and truly, there aren’t nearly as many of them around these days. Yep. His heroes have truly always been cowboys. The perfect first horse. Part of being a real cowboy is having a horse – a horse who can work cattle and help … [Read more...]
Thanks, volunteers
I would never cut it as the First Lady of the United States. How do I know this? Being a local school board member’s wife is sometimes more than I can handle. My husband, Craig, is wrapping up his second year of his first four-year term on the local school board. His intentions were noble when he ran for election. His grandpa had served. … [Read more...]
Five things I’ve learned in the first year without my dad
We were arranged in dad’s nursing home room – my brother and sister-in-law, dad’s dearest friend, and me. The nursing home staff had gathered enough recliners for us all to stay by dad’s side during what we expected to be his final hours. The night-shift nurse came to dad every 30 minutes like clockwork, ensuring he experienced no … [Read more...]
Entering the tough season of loss
I've been told the "firsts" after a loss are the toughest. The first holidays. The first birthdays. The first milestones. Each are reminders that our loved ones will no longer experience these memories with us. We've made it through the first Thanksgiving and Christmas and Easter. And truly, they weren't as bad as I expected. Holidays … [Read more...]
Staying the course: lessons learned from running, running, running
I really don’t know the woman I’ve become. You see, the junior-high version of me could barely pass the one-mile run test in PE. And she hated. every. minute. But the 30-something version of me decided my next adventure in torture and exhilaration should include running. I began with 5Ks, then 10Ks, then half marathons. I have even … [Read more...]
Lessons learned in 16 years of marriage
April 5, 2003. The day that I gave up my “independent single woman” status and vowed to love, honor and cherish Craig Lee for a lifetime. There with our dearest friends and family gathered around, we certainly had a starry-eyed view of what marriage would be. And we definitely thought we had it all figured out. Oh, how we were … [Read more...]
The heifer at the window: connecting a grandson and the terminally ill grandpa he loved
My dad passed away in November, after a long, hard-fought battle with multiple sclerosis. Throughout it all, he maintained a strong relationship with his grandchildren. This story originally ran in the September issue of Hereford World. We had been planning it for weeks. And boy, was it a great plan. My dad – who has spent his … [Read more...]
Refuge in the storm
I used to be much more fearless. For several years, I lived in the heart of tornado alley -- Oklahoma. When I was a senior at Oklahoma State, my mom may have tracked me down at the Wormy Dog Saloon, calling the bartender to let me know to find shelter. (Yes, it was 1999. Cell phones weren't an extension of our hands, as they are … [Read more...]
The house that built me
It’s the front porch where we would sit and watch neighbors pass; where friends would stop by and visit; where we would share the news of great grandbabies to be born and share tears of worry for loved ones. It’s the old farmhouse kitchen sink, where my toddler self would once fit to have my hair washed by my grandma, while I studied the hanging … [Read more...]