Every small town has them. Everyplace where there are people who go way back. Everyplace where there are insiders and outsiders. Everyplace where old relationships and personal agendas outweigh what is best for everyone else. If you have lived in a small town for very long you have seen these kinds of politics in operation. … Continue reading Small Town Politics
Author: michellegunnin
Till Death Do Us Part
In sickness and health, till death do us part…these words used to be spoken in every marriage vow. Nowadays, they are considered old fashioned. There are so many other ways to part now, but 35 years ago today, we included those words in our vows. Little did we know the till-death-do-us-part part of our vows … Continue reading Till Death Do Us Part
“You Have Cancer”
Fifteen years ago, today, I heard those terrible words. A fog descended immediately, kind of like when I was in transition during childbirth. In a room with my husband and doctors…yet all alone at the same time. Otherworldly. Trapped between before and after. Between healthy and sick. Between old and new realities. In case you … Continue reading “You Have Cancer”
Dad Bragging
I need to brag on my Dad, and I figured Father’s Day is the time to do it. He’s been an excellent father. One of those you can point to as an example of what fathering should look like. I could make a very long list of examples, but today I don’t want to name … Continue reading Dad Bragging
Wedding Planning
I expected to get emotional when I saw my daughter in a wedding dress for the first time. What I didn’t expect was for the tears to come before I made it all the way through the door of the shop. Before the first dress. Before any dress. Just walking into the store started my … Continue reading Wedding Planning
Ray’s Memorial Day
It was only fitting that on this Memorial Day weekend, we had our memorial service for Ray. After all, he was an army veteran. His military service was only one season of his lifetime of accomplishments; one which he downplayed. The delay of his memorial service due to Covid, gave us nearly a year to … Continue reading Ray’s Memorial Day
Lament
You may have noticed, I haven’t written a whole lot lately. I am struggling to come out of the season of lament I have been in. I feel a bit like a flower with buds, that cannot bloom. I want to open my face to the sun but I am not ready. My passionate expression … Continue reading Lament
The Secret is Out!
The secret is out! It’s been in the works for months. Quiet calls from Seattle to Georgia and visa versa. First, a call to ask for Hannah’s hand. Then, a call with the plan. All throughout the pandemic, calls and secret conversations. Always waiting for things to open up so we could come. Always waiting … Continue reading The Secret is Out!
Mother’s Day 2021
When I was in kindergarten my teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. It was an easy answer for me. “A mom.” I knew immediately; however, my teacher didn’t like my answer. She said she would come back to me while I thought about another choice. I honestly couldn’t think … Continue reading Mother’s Day 2021
I Wish
The rain slides, hisses and splatters on my front walkway. The drips resonate louder up close, but the drone of a steady soaking rain fills the air with sound which makes my eyelids heavy like the downpour. Perfect reading weather. Perfect writing weather. Perfect napping weather. Perfect weather. I wish I could capture, with images … Continue reading I Wish
